The next learning hurdle...

[Evn1ngStar]

I've not used a flash since my non-digital camera days (never liked the little pop up one that comes on my digital), but have just taken the plunge and ordered one for my camera.

I'm sure I'll be posing a question or 12 soon, but any pre question tips and hints are welcome.

I have a couple (ok ok, three to be exact) Sony cameras so I went with the Sony HVL-F42AM.

[inkista]

Try these two websites:

• Neil van Niekerk's Tangents
• The Strobist

The Strobist post you'll probably want to read a few times over is the one on Balancing flash against ambient and his demo of same indoors. Van Niekerk also covers the subject with a slightly different slant in his Dragging the Shutter post.

[Evn1ngStar]

Thanks Kathy, I'm sure I'll be perusing all those links

[rpcrowe]

I would recommend spending a little more of your hard earned cash and get a camera flip flash bracket such as offered by Stroboframe
http://cgi.ebay.com/Tiffen-Strobofra...item4cf85b6bf3
or even a Chinese knock-off camera flip bracket

Pair this with an off-camera sync cord
http://photogearfinder.com/TTL-Off-C...M-P329085.aspx

and a diffuser/reflector such as the Joe Demb Flash Diffuser Pro
www.dembflashproducts.com

or even a diffuser reflector which you can fabricate from cardboard or foam board
http://super.nova.org/DPR/DIY01/

This will be a relatively light weight, not terribly expensive and very versatile outfit which will provide quite nice lighting...

[Evn1ngStar]

I would recommend spending a little more of your hard earned cash

Thanks Richard, actually I had picked up your advise for the demb product when you advised it to someone else, and had the other items on my list too, although I'd not seen the site to which you linked for the cord before. It has a much better price than what I found so thanks for the savings

Now I just have to wait for the next paycheck to roll in before I can spend it

[Evn1ngStar]

My cat has been my model (or victim as she probably sees it) while I practice off camera flash

[Dave Humphries]

My cat has been my model (or victim as she probably sees it) while I practice off camera flash

ahh, cute kitty

[Evn1ngStar]

ahh, cute kitty

Thanks Dave, I did catch her without her princess crown on that day
She is cute, knows it and uses it to get her way!

[Evn1ngStar]

More practicing with my helper/model. WhileI don't think she is any more patient than my human practice subjects, I do find she tends to make far fewer comments while I mumble to myself, making sure I've got all my settings right...

[Dave Humphries]

More practicing with my helper/model. WhileI don't think she is any more patient than my human practice subjects, I do find she tends to make far fewer comments while I mumble to myself, making sure I've got all my settings right...

Hi Yvonne,

Ah, now I really want to stroke her - we have a nice soft one with fur like this

Good compositions, although #1 and #3 look a bit under exposed

#3 has some interesting processing; it looks like a painting - I like it,