Too much flash?

[OldClicker]

I'm learning to use a little fill flash on my (mostly) birds. Is this too much? - TF

[frapuchi]

I'm learning to use a little fill flash on my (mostly) birds. Is this too much? - TF

The use of flash is very useful in certain occasions (as in this photo). In this case there has been a bit of reflection in the branch and in the eye, easily remedied.
What do you think?
Ciao

[OldClicker]

I think the branch looks better, but I think the eye looks dead. - TF

[frapuchi]

I think the branch looks better, but I think the eye looks dead. - TF

Share your thoughts, perhaps the eye must not touch it. I wanted too

[mjs1973]

One area where I really struggle with my photography is with the use of flash. For my tastes of nature photos, if I can tell a flash was uses, it wasn't used properly. That being said, i don't think this it too bad but I can tell a flash was used. I think the really dark BG and the highlight on the branch is what gives it away. The branch in the 2nd image looks better, but I agree with the eye. I wouldn't touch the eye. The catchlight is a nice touch. As far as the flash goes, I would try to balance it better with the ambient light. I don't know what you had it set at but I would go with at least a stop lower than than what you would get with ambient light alone.

[BlueRob]

Hey OC I also have trouble with flash and its outcomes.
As for the pic on display I think that yes its a little to much...The bird is well lighted but what I can see on my screen is that it looks "flat" or plane if you´ll like, it takes away the the deepness of the subject a bit.
Don´t know if some sort of diffuser might aid in this case.
What I found to work on some occasions is use the fill-in flash to lets say 1/4 - 1/16 and then play with the Exp compensation.
HTH