Flash photgraphy help

[Seahorse]

I just tried to take a picture of some glass things im making, the flash always happened despite me trying to add more natural light, but the flash made my craft item almost invisable as the light bounced off the glass, any help to solve this problem would be great.
Thanks

Here is one of the better pics but still not ideal, just to give you a clue as to what Im on about.

[claireybear]

I usually just turn the flash off - there should be a way you can do this, have you got your camera manual to hand? It might be a button with what looks like a squiggly arrow on it, you might be able to select the different options for it by pressing it once, twice etc.

[HappySheep]

Flash on the camera never looks right - that's why I prefer to light items in a tent and get diffused light. CB is right - you will be able to turn off your flash - most compact cameras have settings such as auto, always on, off and you can keep pressing the same button to get at them all, or it's a menu option you have to set. If you tell me what camera you have, I'll do my best to talk you through it :D

Judith

[babyloves]

Hi! The flash needs to be turned off as the other members have said and most cameras will allow you to do this. Once you have done this though - you need to make sure you have enough light so that your subject will be lit properly. Otherwise the image will be dark and grainy or blurry as there will be serious camera shake! Move your subject to a window or go outside during day time obviously and this will give you nice and natural results without buying any spe******t equipment!

Hope this helps - I am a photographer so can help if you need me to!

fee

[Sarahleigh]

The best thing to do is to take it outside or to light it with windowlight & lamps and to turn the flash off (if poss). Most cameras will allow you to do this. If yours won't try sticking a cigarette paper to the flash area (not covering the sensor) so that the light from the flash is diffused.

Oh & try changing your ISO. If the ISO number is higher (ie 400 or above) your camera is less likely to need the flash in reasonable light.

S

[Critchley]

try to turn the flash away from the object.

BHow can you do that they are a fixed flash in todays cameras

[Jonesi]

You can put a piece of paper taped over the flash to soften the light. Alternatively light the objects from the sides using house lamps with some warm light energy saving light bulbs, at least 20w. My BF is a photographer and that's normally how he lights stuff except he uses his fancy flashes, I'm stuck with house lamps, lol.

This site (http://www.tabletopstudio.com/documents/glass_photography.htm) give some good advice too

[nerusmith]

if you have a digital camera. Any reflective surfaces will bounce the flash straight back to the camera. You’ll see a big blob of flash on your photos.When you take a photo using the flash, it won’t fire again until the flash has recharged. That all information are really good.

[indri]

How can you do that they are a fixed flash in todays cameras

A mirror?! If you use the window/outside option remember to check for other things reflecting on the glass (like trees, pot plants, curtains.... Do you have a conservatory? That's the best place on wintry days like we have at the moment. Lots of light from above rather than side!

[Oldmacman]

If you are using a digital pocket camera, look for the lightning bolt symbol and press the button until your camera displays the same symbol with a line through it. If you need the light of the flash, tape a piece of paper in the shape of an L in front of the flash and this will direct the light towards the ceiling providing a more natural light... A poor man's bounce flash.

[RezinDollz]

I'm not sure what sort of camera you have, but if it's a didgital camera with a pop up flash, you can get one of those transparent 35mm film canisters and cut a slit in it ( so it fits over the top). This will diffuse the light too.If you Google you can find tuts on how to do this.I have found it better than using tissue or such over the flash.