Originally Posted by
Geoff F
You have much less distracting background in this shot than with a recent post, Brian. But possibly you shot from too low an angle?
Flash can be helpful at times but on occasions it will cause as many problems as it solves. Where there is an issue with harsh shadows I sometimes meter for the brightest area and use that as a guide for manual camera settings, then vary the flash output compensation to a level which illuminates the shadows without over exposing highlights.
But with other scenes, such as glossy flowers or fungi, flash just adds to the hotspots so a difflector and acceptance of a longer exposure is the only alternative; providing wind rock isn't a problem.