Help, please, with my being stupid with flash. SB600, Nikon D300

[CurtEastPoint]

Sometimes I get the pix, sometimes not.
I was told to use P mode (i.e., automatic), point the flash up, use the tupperware diffuser thing w/the cap on and shoot away.

OK, so I did. Here's a perfect example of what I get.
The exif shows: 24mm @ f/6.3, center weighted metering, iso 640.

Crap! What am I doing wrong?

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

1. what mode is the flash in?

you want it in TTL for stuff like this

[ManiacJoe]

4. Going a bit more verbose...

You are looking for "ttl" mode, not "ttl bl".

If you have auto-iso turned on, try turning it off. Auto-iso and flash seem to do weird things from what I have read elsewhere.

I would try these settings:
- ISO 800
- P mode (looking for 1/60 @ f/5.6)
- 45-60 degree tilt on the flash head with the diffuser cap on, if you have one, (skip the tupperware thing)
- flash in TTL mode

[Stevenmarc]

2. You are probably going to have to adjust your flash compensation setting.

You have to take into account your environment, not everybodys ceiling is pure white so the amount of flash reaching the subject is going to change from room to room.

[postatomic]

3. Your camera and flash are not talking to one another

Hold the 'mode' button and the 'power' button on the flash simultaneously for 2 seconds. This will convince your flash to talk to the camera. They will be best friends after that.

In the picture you've posted it looks like you didn't give the flash enough time to 'recycle'.

Using a speedlite can be complicated. The standard Canon workshop will last about 8 hours and most people still leave with a stunned look on their face. Nikon is a lot more user friendly for quick snaps. Oh, and why are you using a tupperware piece? For that room shot just tilt the flash up 45 degrees and use the reflector in the flash.

Happy Flashing!!
:hi:

[CurtEastPoint]

5. Thank you all. Will experiment further w/your suggestions! n/t