It seems that you have your camera set in a mode that is measuring the ambient light when you are using flash. This gives a blurry image in low light stuations because even thought you are using flash the camera is trying to expose for the avaialble light and will select a very slow shutter speed..

Make sure you are not using night portrait mode...

Regarding information on basic DSLR shooting; I recommend the following:.

READ YOUR INSTRUCTION MANUAL the manual should cover much if not most of the basic information needed to achieve good photography. Many of us have the habit of thinking "If all else fails - read the instructions!".

While you could possibly get away with this using the far more simple film cameras that had far-far fewer adjustments to understand; IMO it is virtually impossible to effectively use a DSLR without reading the instructions and without digesting and understanding those instructions..

You can however, usually get an image by just setting the camera in "AUTO" and letting the camera do everything. However, you will certainly not make use of the capabilities of any DSLR by restricting yourself to "AUTO"..

Do a Google search using "basic digital photography" as your search parameters. You will find a plethora of great, up-to-date, information..

Regarding flash use: I like this link very much.

Http://www.planetneil.com/faq/flash-techniques.html.

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Retired Navy Master Chief Photographer's Mate. I was a Combat Cameraman, Motion Picture Director, and a Naval Aircrewman. I also had experience in reconnaissance and intelligence photography. I have had considerable commercial photo experience in weddings and advertising photography. I am fully retired now although I dabble occasionally in dog portraiture. I presently use Canon DSLR cameras...

Try the following website. click on the 3rd one down. using the camera...

A good book you might like to look at is Mastering Your Digital SLR by Chris Weston. It's well laid out, high quality, has plenty of illustrations and devotes a couple of pages to each of the major aspects of DSLR photography..

Many look, but few see...

See this thread for some links to get you started.http://forums.dpreview.com/...forums/read.asp?forum=1002&message=24395432Good luck.ckbBe kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.visit my sites at http://www.photographybychris.netand at http://www.pbase.com/ckb..

I'm new to the DSLR scene, just got a GX-10. I wanted to know what books would be good to start out and after some research I decided to pick up "the digital photography book" and "Understanding Exposure".

Nix..

Tryhttp://www.bythom.com and buy Thom Hogan's "Complete Guide to the D40 and D40x"..

I have the D80 book and it's excellent - will cover most of what you seem to be looking for..

BUT:.

DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK until you have read the D40 manual cover to cover. If you're not prepared to do that, then no other book is going to be of any use .

(Sorry, didn't mean to sound harsh there, just meant to be friendly advice).

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I get the feeling that some of those who have replied to this post think that I have not read the D40 manual, which I have (thoroughly!)..

Maybe I did'nt make myself clear enough but I am after further reading beyond what the manual has to offer but not over complicated reading that will confuse a new user.Any ideas?..

I second Arrowman's advice re. Thom Hogan's Guide to the D40 & D40x.Also, many have said this free guide by Ken Rockwell is good:http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d40/users-guide/index.htm.

Mikerf wrote:.

I get the feeling that some of those who have replied to this postthink that I have not read the D40 manual, which I have (thoroughly!).Maybe I did'nt make myself clear enough but I am after furtherreading beyond what the manual has to offer but not over complicatedreading that will confuse a new user.Any ideas?.

PatcoA photograph is more than a bunch of pixels..

Mikerf wrote:.

I get the feeling that some of those who have replied to this postthink that I have not read the D40 manual, which I have (thoroughly!)..

It's because so many people don't. Good for you that you did!.

Maybe I did'nt make myself clear enough but I am after furtherreading beyond what the manual has to offer but not over complicatedreading that will confuse a new user.Any ideas?.

For understanding exposure, here is a nice web link I found. You can play with the values and see how one affects the other..

Http://www.robert-barrett.com/photo/exposure_calculator.html.

Unfortunately today's gooks on "digital" photography all seem to offer some ellusive magic bullet. One author I suggest you look at is John Hedgecoe, especially some of the older books. I would try the local library first. Here is a link to a good one that is out of print. I have never used this vendor so I can't vouch for reliability..

Http://www.alibris.com/...atches=36&qsort=r&cm_re=works*listing*title.

Some of the "magic books" from authors like Scot Kelby are really just giant advertisments for Photoshop and for his own publishing store. If you are serious about the cameras, I suggest you avoid them for now. What happens is people get all hung up on the Photoshop stuff thinking everything gets fixed in post. There's no amount of PS that can fix a bad photo..

Hope this helps.Age and treachery will always overcome youth and skill..

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See my throwaways on Flickrhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/niagaragirl/..

Thanks niagragirl the link ( http://www.robert-barrett.com/photo/exposure_calculator.html ) is very handy and informative, as is the advice you have given.Also thanks to those who have replied and pointed me in the right direction.Regards.Mike...

Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson has helped me a lot. Not advanced, even I can understand it!..

Doug Morphew wrote:.

Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson has helped me a lot. Notadvanced, even I can understand it!.

Thanks mate, it seems as though this is quite a popular book as I have seen it reccommended several times on a variety of sites...

Mikerf wrote:.

Doug Morphew wrote:.

Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson has helped me a lot. Notadvanced, even I can understand it!.

Thanks mate, it seems as though this is quite a popular book as ihave seen it reccommended several times on a variety of sites..

I just purchased this book 2 days ago and I can understand why it's so popular. I purchased it because of all the recommendations and it was money well spent. The book is really quite basic but does an amazing job of explaining the basics of getting good exposures. The book will not make you an expert photographer but it will get you well on your way...

I, myself, learnt more about digital photography from Ansel Adam's books The Camera and The Negative than from any of the books that actually mention digital cameras (don't bother with The Print except for inspiration)...