What can a speedlite do for me?

I've been into photography for years now but have never owned a flash. I enjoy shooting indoors (pics of my pets) but I also enjoy outdoor shooting (scenery, random shooting etc..). Everytime I bring up buying a faster lens for indoor shooting it is always recommended that I buy a speedlite. Let's say I pick up the 430ex or 580ex ii, what can these do for me with my current lenses? Will it offer me much more indoor flexibility with my 15-85? I just have never done a ton of research on flash/speedlites. Just how powerful is having one in your arsenal? I've finally decided to listen.

Then you're ready for the secret link..

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=207470

That's actually part two of a series, but directly addresses your question. I'd recommend reading the rest of the series.

To answer your question, they improve the lighting.
There are hundreds of discussions and many threads with examples already posted. How about you start with browsing those and then coming back with some specific questions.
Do not skip the stickies at the beginning of this thread. There is lots of great info in them.

I don't think anyone can downplay the power of having the ability to create your own light in situations where needed. It is the difference between getting a shot and not getting a shot. Even with simple on camera bounce flash you can totally change the look of an image and the quality of the light in the scene.

Thanks guys. I'll check out the links and do some searching and come back with specific questions.

Neil van Niekerk is a flash bounce master. I always enjoy viewing and studying his techniques. Just one off the top of my head is how he bounces the flash off a wall and makes it look like a bride is sitting by a window and is being illuminated with natural light. There are so many things you can do.

The key to flash photography is making it look like you did not use a flash at all.

http://neilvn.com …h-photography-techniques/

Ask not what your speedlite can do for you...but what you can do with your speedlite!

sdipirro wrote in post #13509023
Ask not what your speedlite can do for you...but what you can do with your speedlite!

...and ,to paraphrase Kennedy:
""Don't ask what a speedlite can do for you but what YOU can do for a speedlite!"

I was pleased with the results using a 580EX II mounted in a Cheetah 24" QBox...off camera of course. Afternoon light (backllight), 580 for fill.

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dedsen wrote in post #13507825
To answer your question, they improve the lighting.

If I may clarify, they allow you to improve the quality of the lighting. Of course, they can also be used to make it worse.

In the three images below, neither the camera nor the subject moved. The only thing different about them is the lighting. In one of them I used direct flash, in another one I used bounced flash. If you can figure out which is which, you're on your way.

I want to let the OP answer this. However since you have 3 images is one natural lighting?

digital paradise wrote in post #13513154
I want to let the OP answer this. However since you have 3 images is one natural lighting?

I would say "ambient" rather than "natural", but I'm 99.999999999999999% sure the answer is yes.

OK ambient

Yes, one image is ambient light only, one direct flash and one bounced flash.

Curtis, you shot one of my aldermen!!