Macro/HDR

[eifion69]

Hello All.
I have had a message to say I have yet to post in the forums.
I am an absolute beginner to DSLR Photography so I have just been reading all the different questions and the answers on the different forums.
But now having had my new Sony A200 for a month or so I have decided to concentrate for awhile on Macro and HDR.
I was looking at An Orchid my wife had and did a few Macro shots of it using The Sony 0.38m/1.3ft Macro Lens that came with the camera but each one came out bright as the flash seemed to be reflecting off the leaves.I set the flash to off and tried again but the shots then came out dull.
I then thought why not try in the dark with my big Tamron AF 70-300 Macro lens as by using this I will be further away so the flash might not be as bright.The shot still came out dull.My wife suggested that she stand close to the orchid with a torch shining on it whilst I shot with the flash off, again Still not a good result.
Just as I was about to pack up it occurred me to try with the torch set either at the side or below the plant.I went for the below option.
I had the camera on auto, on a tripod,had the flash turned off and the 10 sec timer activated.I have attached the result. I hope its the right sizefor attachement
I would appreciate any comments good or bad and advice on taking this kind of shot in the dark or advice on how to alter the flash to make it less bright.
Just to touch on another subject.Its Nov Th soon and I wondered if anyone could advise me on the settings and lens to take Firework shots.In addition to the above Lens I also purchased A Sony DT 3.5-5.6/18-55SAM as the man in the shop said tis was A General Purpose Lens for a beginner.To be totally honest don't have a clue as to what all the numbers on The Lens represent.
Sorry for the length of this post.
Regards. Eifion