Nikon SB 400 speedlight?

Question

I just got one of these because I was told an external flash would eliminate hatsh shadows...I have a NIkon d40 and all pics have harsh shadows so even with this its the same...what is the deal am i doing something wrong i want good pics without shadows thanks

Answer 1

If the ceiling is light colored and low enough, tilt the flash-head upwards.  This gives the subject indirect lightin that is more natural than the "bucket of light in the face" effect of direct flash.  

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/sb400.h...

Another tool to add is a diffuser such as this one.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000RA2...

On my SB600, I never use direct flash unless it's at a great distance or the ceiling is dark or too tall.

Answer 2

also check out any setting on the camera of flash to reduce the flash ev values.

Reset your camera.  Perhaps you are in a  manual mode and using too long of a shutter speed.  Flashes are typically 1/60s at the longest.

I believe the D40 support TTL for speedlights.  If you disabled this in the settings menu, then the camera is not controlling the flash output and it is defaulting to the speedlight defaults.  Check the settings on the camera for the TTL or i-TTL settings under flash settings.  i-TTL controls the flash output based on how the camera is metering the subject.

Answer 3

The solution is to use "bounce-flash" which means bouncing the light off a wall or a ceiling.  This softens the light and eliminates harsh shadows.

With the SB-400, when the camera is in the horizontal/panorama orientation (i.e. the flash is on top), then move the flash head to bounce off the ceiling.

When the camera is in the portrait orientation (i.e. the flash is on the side), you can try bouncing off the wall.  This may not be as successful.  That's why a flash like the SB-600 or SB-800 has an advantage and cost more:  you can turn the flash head from side to side and get bounce off the ceiling, even in a portrait orientation.

Another option with your SB-400:  Get a flash bracket and a Nikon SC-29 flash cord.  It'll make your camera heavier, but then not only can you bounce off the ceiling in a portrait orientation, you can do direct flash and have the shadows fall out of sight behind the person, no matter the orientation of the camera.