SB600 Speedlight Problem

I have a Nikon SB600 Speedlight mounted on a Nikon D70. This combination works well in a confined area (flash output is good, colors are natural, shadows not too harsh). The problem came when I took my camera to the OKC Coliseum (large areas lit with flourescent lights, 100 foot ceiling, etc). In this arena, the flash was terrible with the subject brightly and harshly lighted, and the background dark. To compensate, I set the flash for "slow-rear curtain" which lighted the background and created another problem. With such a slow shutter speed, any movement at all by the subject resulted in blurred photos. I then went back to "normal" flash, and found the subject even worse in lighting
(like having the subject lighted by someone doing electric welding). Well, I am "stretching the truth" but you get the idea (subject is burned out with overexposure
and shadows are harsh). Why does the flash work well in a smaller area, and then go bonkers in a large open area? How can I get accurate lighting, a higher shutter speed, and still have the background illuminated in large open areas? Thoughts anyone?

It could be because the flash is firing its preflash before the shutter opens to get it's exposure, and because of the sheer size of the place you're trying to shoot it's just blasting away. You can try to take it out of TTL and cut the power down, and/or also take it off camera and use your built in as well. I've found that I still get the best exposure by doing it myself! :) Manual mode, set the built in to 1/16th output, and trigger the off camera at full power has worked like a charm for me. Be happy that in the digital world, you can check your exposures and adjust in a matter of minutes. :)

This is when you need to work the flash in manual mode (if you can, I don't know that flash). Anyway try different settings working your way down from 1 to whatever works. I find I usually get away with 1/4 or 1/8 in manual mode. I normally use manual mode on the camera as well.
To practice just go outside at night and take some shots at different settings and see how it works...this will help a lot and get you used to using the flashes manual modes. My neighbors thought I lost it one night when they saw me out there :rolleyes:
JS