What would you do in this situation?

[vinunleaded]

I actually ran into this situation before when I first started out. But theres the scenario:

Lets say I want to use Flash to properly expose the subject at night and at the same time I want the backgroudn to register as well (such as a cityscape at night). In order to properly expose the background the camera requires a long exposure. I know for a fact that the subject would be blurry if I shoot without flash. If I DO shoot with Flash, would the flash be sufficient to freeze the subject?

[juise]

I'm a rookie at all this, but could you drag the shutter (http://www.planetneil.com/tangents/flash-photography-techniques/3-dragging-the-shutter/)?

[bbvdm]

If it's dark enough that you would need a long exposure to capture the background, the flash would freeze your subject while exposing for the background. The subject should probably remain still, but should not be blurred.

[Familiaphoto]

^^^ Above posts nailed it. Just slow the shutter to expose the background under by 1 or 2 stops. and freeze the subject with the flash.

[rjc1]

If the subject is in complete darkness it should work, if the subject has some light on it , the sensors will pickup the dimly lit subject and produce a blurry image if the exposure is some what long....( even with a flash )

[vinunleaded]

thank you rjc1 for clearing it up. Are you shooting with the 40D or D40? D40 is a Nikon camera

[rjc1]

Thanks for alerting me to that typo. I had not noticed it before. Changing it as I type.