Flash help, show

[jessschiff]

I'm going to be shooting a show on Friday, I'm on the guestlist and I've been asked to photograph it. The only thing is, I know the club is very dark - probably too dark to shoot without flash - and I usually make a point of shooting shows without flash. I find that the results are usually much better.

Do you have any tips for shooting with flash? I'm going to be at a very close range, and I know to use the second-curtain sync, but beyond that I'm really at a loss as what to do. I know slow shutter speeds can make for some interesting shots.

Is there any way to shoot with flash without washing out the entire stage?

[René Damkot]

Use flash as fill, and only if you absolutely cannot do without.
A gig you've been asked to shoot is probably not the best time to mess around with unknown variables ;)

Here's a good link: http://www.planetneil.com/tangents/flash-photography-techniques/1-natural-looking-flash/

[jessschiff]

I don't have a flash that can swivel and pivot, I can only use the pop-up one built into my XSI, which is going to destroy my shots.