Girl

[tirediron]

I think...just thinking..but my camera will only go to a certain speed when the on camera flash is on. I think there is a max that every camera can go to.

Yep, this is the Flash Sync Speed. This is the maximum speed at which you can take flash pictures with a given camera. The sync speed is the fastest speed during which the shutter is completely open. At faster speeds, as the top of the frame is being exposed, the bottom of the shutter is already covering the lower part of the sensor (or left-right or however your particular camera's shutter works). Sync speeds range from 1/125 - 500th; not sure why you'd be seeing exposure issues at such low speeds. Could you have a particular mode (Slow sync?) selected accidentally?

[Mad Aussie]

A good quality external flash can override the camera flash sync speed and allow you to shoot at much faster shutter speeds with flash. I often shoot flash shots at 1/1000 and even higher if needed.

I was also going to suggest Glamour Blur but Kat beat me to it.

[AntZ]

Personally I think the least pleasing aspect of the image is girls expression. Its a disinterested look. I think if she had been happy or sad/moody it would have been better. You could try some selective colouring on the flowers.

I've never understood the shutter speed limit with flash. Why does it matter if the flash is on for longer than the shutter? The flash that occurs before and after the shutter being open won't affect the image.

[Mad Aussie]

Maybe it would. Perhaps that split second it's on as the shutter close allows more light onto the sensor and leaves a graduated lighting effect?

[tirediron]

Flash duration is very short, < 1/10,000 second and the exposure is based on the illumination provided by the flash, so, if the entire shutter isn't open than you will have a under-exposed band band demarking the point where the shutter curtain covered the sensor.

This page describes it well, with pictures!

[scorpio_e]

A good quality external flash can override the camera flash sync speed and allow you to shoot at much faster shutter speeds with flash. I often shoot flash shots at 1/1000 and even higher if needed.

Providing you have HHS synch capability with your flash. My 430 EX does. With HSS you lose a lot of flash power.

[MoinMoin]

Hello jeventer,

as the others already told, the flash isn't flattering her teint. I hope you don't mind, but I played with your foto too - like Kat, but with colours. I'll load it here directly (so there will be some lost of quality). If you want the better version, give me an e-mail adress to sent. I won't store it on my space, because it isn't my picture.