Originally posted by SpecialK The problem with the pop up flash in any of its disguises is that it is in line with the lens and therefore usually provides boring lighting and frequently a shadow behind the subject.
Can't disagree with that if flash is the main source of lighting.
The typical on board flash picture is the deer caught in the headlight and probably with devilish red-eye.
However we have a whole bunch of clever(er) people here -
the built-in pop-up flash need not be the main lighting source - but kind of a supplemental light -
since the K-x has fabulous ISO performance up to about ISO6400.
So the built-in pop-up flash could be used as fill-in light at a noticeably weaker level than the normal "full power" - hence the advice to learn to use flash compensation to have the flash level below that of the ambient light.
Of course some might consider the two photos I posted using the built-in op-up flash above in Post #
12 to be "boring" lighting (actually I found it quite "exciting" - excuse me, while I wipe myself off
) But I did use flash compensation ranging from -0.7 to -1.3 stops.
I think it is worthwhile learning to use what is available - eg: the built-in pop-up flash properly - rather than the blanket advice to use off camera bounced flash - that in itself will not guarantee good and exciting pictures.
It would be great to see picture examples illustrating better off camera/bounce flash usage