Newbe needs advice please

[Menkaure]

I have a Canon Rebel xt and a Canon Speedlight 580EX. I normally shoot in "P" mode so I have some control and some auto. Daylight pics are no problem but my new Speedlight has me confused.

These pics were both shot at 1/60 second, F3.5, Focal length 18mm, ISO 200.
I was trying all kind of settings and flash combinations but the hall was messing me up because the walls were so far away. (Bounce Flash)
Anyway... Both of these pics were taken with the same settings. Why are they different and why can't I get a good flash shot? Keep in mind I'm just starting with this flash.
Thank you for looking.

Menkaure

[FlashZebra]

Are you possibly firing the camera too quickly, before the flash has a chance to recycle fully? So on the dark image the flash is giving you all it has, but you have not waited long enough for that to be enough.

Enjoy! Lon

[miggity.mac]

could you possibly be using too high of a shutter speed? i've noticed that high shutter speed usually equals a dark background, bright foreground, "snapshot" kind of look. might want to try bumping up the ISO or lowering the aperture 1 or 2 stops so u can compensate for the 1/60 (if you can't give up speed.)

[Curtis N]

If I had to guess why these are so different, I would say the first was done with direct flash and the second was bounced - with the flash head at an angle. Look at the brightness of the floor under the table vs. the brightness of the wall in each shot.

If you want to use the ceiling, then use the ceiling above you, not in front of you. Aim the flash head straight up and use an index card on the flash to throw a little light forward.

Direct flash is a problem with table shots like this because your near subjects will be overexposed while the other end of the table will be underexposed. If you have a ceiling, use it.

Switching to ISO 400 or even 800 would give you better ambient exposure so the background won't look quite so dark.

Keep in mind that with indoor flash shots, P mode will give you 1/60 shutter and a wide-open aperture every time. If that's not what you want, switch to manual mode and take control.

[Raul Montana]

When I shoot indoors, I shoot on P mode and with the flash pointing straight up just like Curtis said. Give that a try ;)

[Menkaure]

Thanks folks... I'll give it a try.

Menkaure