Got my first flash... no idea what I'm doing.

[imahawki]

My main goal would be properly exposed indoor picture that don't look horribly flashy/snapshotty. I bought the 580EX II and I have the rest of the gear in my signature. The flash just arrived today and I've spend about 10 minutes with the manual and 20 with the flash. Its making me realize how tough I find it to tell if an image is properly exposed on my camera LCD. Also, I have historically shot in AV mode but am learning full manual mode. I'm struggling feeling like I have any control over the flash and more like I'm changing camera settings to compensate for whatever the flash is doing. Here are some sample shots. CC them ruthlessly.

EVERY shot is at 50mm (nifty fifty) and every one should be f/8. ISO toggles between 100 and 200. Exposer and flash setings vary. All taken with the flash bounced. NO PP at all. Thoughts?

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/imahawki/Flash/IMG_4194.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/imahawki/Flash/IMG_4224.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/imahawki/Flash/IMG_4225.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/imahawki/Flash/IMG_4226.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/imahawki/Flash/IMG_4230.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/imahawki/Flash/IMG_4231.jpg

[HSK]

I havn't got a flash my self yet (i plan on getting the same one) But looking at the pics, the first looks underexposed, the second the flash is quite harsh/direct, but the rest look good to me (but i'm no flash expert) But they don't seem harsh.

She looks like a patient and well behaved test subject :P cute.

[imahawki]

Yeah, that's kinda how I feel (first two stink, the rest are at worst "OK"). The difference between 5 and 6 is interesting. I think 5 might be underexposed.

[GSansoucie]

The first one is underexposed, looks like 100% ambient (eg "no flash") most likely because you are so close and bouncing.

Look at your backgrounds, you have some white from the blinds and brown from the couch. This might be confusing the metering.

Try using FEL on her face, lets get that exposure locked in (that is the "*" button that will emit a flash to get a reading). It does take some practice, but you will get it figured out. Next thing will be to try off camera flash!!

[Lotto]

You are doing fine, just keep practicing on it :)

#1. Be careful when shooting that close and bouncing, the light could ends up coming from behind her.

#2. Looks like direct flash

#3&4. Notice when she tilts her face up and catch most the bouncing light, the lighting is nice and soft.

5&6, #6 is a improvement over #5 because of less shadow under the eyes and chin, looks like you were playing with the catch light card?

[imahawki]

Yeah, I did have it out for a few. I'm starting to pick it up.