flash logistics Qs...the scary thing is I'm not blonde!!!

The more I read about using a flash the more I realize that if I have the flash on, the camera meters differently than if I have the camera off. Is this correct?

I read that if you have the flash engaged, the camera will meter for the background's ambient light, and then if I put the FEL on the subject, everything will be honky-dory.. or so the theory states (assuming you are in TV or M mode) With the flash engaged, the metering is automatically done through evaluative- Is this correct?

So I don't have to tell the camera "I want you to properly expose the background" by metering off the background and then recomping?

If I am shooting in M mode, is a good starting point to set the Shutter Speed for the sync speed and then go from there depending on how much ambient light I want? (assuming that I don't care what the aperture is and assuming that the scene can handle that fast of a shutter speed)?

I have a 430 EX and a 20D if that makes a difference.

Meter like you have no flash at all, and let the flash do its buisness on its own.

Use M mode always when doing flash

I'd go below you max sync speed to ensure that it is properly lit all the way through.

the rest depends on what you want to do with it. Do you want it to be fill or the key light? Do you want the background to be normal, over or under exposed?

Point of clarification - you do not need to do FEL to get proper flash exposure.

There is a tutorial started by Curtis N take a peek it might help. BTW I haven't reading it yet. But in short, if you are using a ETTL capatible flash then the hutter speed will determine how the BG will be exposed, the higher the shutter speed is set the darker the BG will be and the slower the shutter speed is the more of the ambient light will fill the BG.

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=171657

EOS Flash Bible. My signature.

In my case, shooting on "M", I told the flash what to do, too. It's just easier for me. Some threads that might help:

Simple "every-day-emergency" location lighting
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=66358

Fill light at sunset - Here's something that will help you figure light fall-off in your head:
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=66353