Flash

For the majority of inside shots you'll need a flash. Occasionally, you should use the flash outside.
 * Flash**
 * Reprinted from http://www.digicamhelp.com/camera-features/camera-parts/camera-flash.php**

Don't have overly high expectations when using a built-in digital camera flash. Flash photos can range from great to awful. If you take a lot of inside shots, consider purchasing an external or slave flash. A digital camera flash triggers automatically in low light conditions when set to auto mode. On some digital cameras, lifting up the flash activates it.
 * Get the most from a built-in-flash**

Always use a flash within the specified range for the best performance. If you digital camera has flash compensation, you can change settings to increase or decrease flash output.

To improve overall photo quality when using a flash, move subjects closer to available light coming through a window or door before shooting. If there is not outside light, turn on more room lights and change the white balance settings as needed. Many don't think of using the flash outside but it's an effective way to eliminate dark, shadowy areas which lack detail. A digital camera sees less detail than the human eye so fill-in flash is used to bring out details that may be lost in shadows.
 * Fill-in flash**

Digital cameras typically have several [|flash modes] that can be changed to suit a variety of lighting situations. Flash ranges change according to the zoom/focal length used. Many digital cameras have several flash modes to choose from. A built-in flash is small and not very powerful so whichever mode you use, make sure to stay within the specified flash range.
 * Digital camera flash modes**
 * **Automatic mode** - flash triggers automatically. Turn this mode off when in places that forbid inside flash photography, such as museums and theaters.
 * **Red-eye reduction** - fires the flash several times just just prior to exposing a photo. Reduces the reflection in a subject's eyes which produces red eyes. The rapid flashes cause a subject's pupils to contract and helps minimize the red-eye effect.
 * **Forced (fill-in) flash** - keeps the flash on in situations where automatic mode would keep it off. Used when additional illumination is needed such as when the main source of light is in the back of a subject or shadows prevent details from showing.
 * **Suppressed flash** - turns the flash off
 * **Slow sync (also called Night Scene)*** - use to capture a dimly lit background at night. The flash fires briefly to light the foreground subject.
 * **Rear-curtain sync*** - Similar to slow synch but flash doesn't fire until right before the shutter closes.
 * **Flash exposure compensation** - used to increase or decrease the output of the flash.
 * Tripod or other camera support recommended