Definitive books, guides on available light photography?

[New Daddy]

Why use flash? Somebody said "Not all natural light is good light and not all good natural light is enough light." It seemingly sums up when one should consider bringing in some flash. But that premise is not as innocuous as it sounds. What is "good" light? What is "enough" light? I think it really comes down to one's aesthetic preference. For example, in this scenario (look at the bottom of the page where there is back-lit shot, silhouette, and a flash shot), the blogger concluded that the situation required flash. But of the three, I think I prefer the back-lit shot to the flash shot. (http://kindletheheart.com/natural-light-photographer/) As I'm getting very comfortable with flash photography, I'm having paradoxical realization. What i thought was not a good light before wasn't that bad after all. Also, sometimes a grainy high-ISO shot with a little bit of motion blur captures the moment better than a perfectly exposed flash photo.

In available light photography, you often have to deal with low light, suboptimal direction of light, color cast, blown bright background, etc. Flash takes care of many of those issues, but the downside is that the results are all similar, predictable and ordinary. Yes, safe but ordinary. Maybe you need safety and certainty in some situations - in wedding photography for example. But even in wedding photography, I came across this photographer's portfolio that I think looks beautiful and "different". (http://www.carterhewson.com/portfoli...g-photography/)

I think the real danger of flash photography is that you easily relinquish an opportunity to capture the true feel of the moment and make it a bland, ordinary, average, but safe shot, in the name of "good light". So, now I want to explore available photography more, and reserve flash for real rescue. Can people provide some recommendation on books, texts, websites, etc. for available light photography? I've read far more books and articles on flash photography, and it's time for balance.

[chauncey]

I don't own a flash unit...am confused enough with that exposure compensation thingy to add another variable into the equation. I do, on rare occasions, use battery lighting.