G6 and beach photography

I've been reading many of the postings on this excellent forum regarding use of flash (as fill flash) with the G6, and I've got a question or 2. I just ordered a 430ex flash for my G6, and was wondering what kind of settings folks here who are experienced with this camera/flash combo might use for both bright mid day beach pics with subjects wearing light colors, and also pre-sunset images with subjects wearing the same coloring. For the sunset times, I'd like the brilliant sky and beach coloring to be preserved, and of course have my subjects properly exposed.

We normally use Nikon DSLR's (in RAW), but are considering taking some posed (unhurried) shots with the G6 for JPEG shots. I'm hoping to get info here for how you've set up your camera, ie ISO, exposure mode (program or auto vs aperature or shutter priority), and what range you try to get a good shutter speed/flash sync at for early evening (the sun 5 fingers over the horizon and setting). Depth of field will not be an issue so much as getting good ambient light background exposure and fill flash for my subjects. Also, the sunset shots will be without tripod if possible. I think I've read somewhere that the G6 in program doesn't do well for fill flash, but i'm not sure about the auto setting. Will I need to back down the flash, or just let the G6 and 430EX determine the correct fill flash in any of these modes?

Thanks! Don

I usually turn down the flash two or three stops for fill in bright sunlight. Not many people have experience with the 430ex yet but it should be the same. As they say "your mileage may vary."

You might be in for a lot of trial and error.
The book that would answer all of your questions about use of flash hasn't been written yet. Perhaps the reason is that there are just too many ways to get into trouble with flash. The auxilliary flash has its own sensor that shuts down the flash when it sees that it has done what it thinks is its job. Such a mechanism only works out to the effective range of the flash, which isn't very far.

The camera's light metering system, which works so well without the flash, is in many cases completely over-ridden by the flash - leaving you with an unexpected effect on the distant background.

Getting a balance between properly exposed foreground and properly exposed background in a variety of settings is going to require a lot of practice. Invest your time in experimenting and practice starting immediately.