A flash unit often adds a "professional" look to a photo.
The Canon 430EX SpeedLite is an external flash unit. It normally attaches to the camera via the hot shoe bracket and is used to add extra, higher quality light to a photo. While using the flash as a more powerful built-in flash can be helpful, utilizing the device in more creative ways can immediately improve your shooting.
Bouncing Light
The most useful feature of an external flash unit is the ability to bounce light off the surrounding environment instead of aiming it directly at your subject. This results in a much smoother light and will eliminate the sharp shadows of the built-in flash. To bounce the flash, push the button on the side of the flash head and rotate it to aim it toward a wall or ceiling. A white surface works best, but try out different surfaces and angles to see which works best for you.
Utilizing the Slave Unit
A "slave unit" is a photoelectric sensor on the font of the flash unit that will activate it when it detects another flash. It is most often used to fire several flash units together without wires or other accessories. To use this feature, push the switch on the flash from "OFF" to "SLAVE" and place the unit within illumination distance of the activating flash unit. For complex compositions, try bouncing the first flash off a surface to activate the slave unit.
Long Exposures
The 430EX can be fired manually by pushing the "Pilot" button. By combining this ability with a long exposure, you can create an extremely original image. Increase the shutter speed of your camera to at least 5 seconds and adjust the other settings so the picture is black without any flash units. This is most easily done at night or in a dark room. Now, while the camera's shutter is open, use the pilot button to create several flashes around the subject. The result will be an image that appears as if several flashes have fired at once, even though you were simply painting the subject with light.
Tags: flash unit, built-in flash, external flash, external flash unit, flash units, several flashes
