Please talk to me about fill flash

[Nensley]

I just bought a SB400 for my Nikon d40. I have never really used flash so I am very ignorant about it. I don't even know when it is needed. I hope I don't sound like a complete moron, but I really need direction. Thanks!

[Art Scott]

Book Recommendations...some cover more than just flash and exposure.....

Scott Kelby's Series The Digital Photography Book Vols 1-3 as of now...... (http://www.amazon.com/Scott-Kelbys-Digital-Photography-Volumes/dp/0321678737/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1256749241&sr=1-11)they can be had separatley also.......

Joe McNally's HotShoe Diaries (http://www.amazon.com/Hot-Shoe-Diaries-Light-Flashes/dp/0321580141/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1256749054&sr=1-8)

Susan McCartney's Mastering Flash Photography
(http://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Flash-Photography-Advanced-Techniques/dp/0817445455/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1256749054&sr=1-10)

FLASH the MOST ABVAILABLE LIGHT (http://www.lumiquest.com/products/ftmal.htm) ....... A LUMI QUEST BOOK,,,,,,,,,,,

[angevin1]

I just bought a SB400 for my Nikon d40. I have never really used flash so I am very ignorant about it. I don't even know when it is needed. I hope I don't sound like a complete moron, but I really need direction. Thanks!
Remember all those cameras you see floating around out there right now? Point and Shoots? You also remember how they-flash seems like every shot? They are trying to do some fill flash. But you also remember how they often make every one look either flat or like they have been flashed? Thats the part where you and your nice new SB400 come in. no matter what you read ...take lots of photos of whatever you have at hand..even an apple on a table and adjust your flash direction, adjust the +/_ signs on the flash button/controls...and of course, read~

and you can read Online here (http://www.planetneil.com/tangents/flash-photography-techniques/2-flash-ambient-light/).

I'll bet Maggie Valley is alive right about now!:D

[adbsgicom]

I liked On-Camera Flash: Techniques for Digital Wedding and Portrait Photgraphy (http://www.amazon.com/Camera-Techniques-Digital-Portrait-Photography/dp/1584282584/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1256752510&sr=8-1). It has a nice mix of using the flash, bouncing it to get a softer light, using the metering systems in your camera to optimize the light, dealing with light/dark clothing. It assumes you know how your camera works, and won't be telling you how to adjust f/stop, ISO, or shutter speed; but is reasonably detailed about how Nikon and Canon strobes work and how to control them.

Art, thanks for the other couple of references there as well. I've read the Hot Shoe Diaries, which is wonderful. Also by the same fellow is "The Moment it Clicks", not about flash, but a good read nonetheless.