i think to get a nice flash photo you should get the flash off camera!
if you mount on your camera, use it as bounce, home made diffuser etc...everyone knows that.

The key point is to get the flash off camera. the light from it will create a more 3D effect. has highlights and shadows. that it what makes a picture pop

i am no expert on sony flash.
but it should be the pop up flash is used to trigger the flashgun and should not light your subject
but if you are near enough, then it'll still cast a bit of light on it

you can test if out also.
put your flash on the side of the subject. fire the flash and see it there light from 1 side and shadow on the other?
if the light is from front then it's lighted by both

@goldie...1 speedlite shot through umbrella from top right?

go for Di622
IIANM, YN doesnt have E-TTL or what not
fully manual i think
save your self the headache and get Di622

Oh very nice lighting there. Soft without distracting shadows yet nice enough to give The 3D feeling.

Nice skin tone colours too.

LX3 can trigger the flash. however no flash power control
you have to manually control the power.
ask nightstalker. he tried it before during TT session

buy cheap and enjoy
no point slaving yourself and have to keep waiting coz no flash to use while saving for it.

just grab the di622 and use. find the limits of the flash then decide you need the upgrade or not

it should trigger ma
unless the 430 EX is in manual mode la
IE not in E-TTL mode

manual mode there's no pre-flash. that's why it wont trigger.
same reason some pns cant trigger it as well

need glue wan ah?
tot just tie around with rubber band then stick it inside the snoot can already?

manual mode is good if you have time to experiment and play with it
if event shooting or impromptu shooting then all gone

the "distance sensor" in this case would be TTL
it will fire a pre-flash and the camera will judge how much light is required just before it fires the main flash.
the pre-flash is too close to main flash for our eyes to detect it

sb600 no doubt
the iTTL is more accurate. can do CLS too

dont think nikon version has it too
what shutter speed is he using?
sure it's 622 and not 866?

easiest thing to do is learn to diffuse the light.
easiest way is by bouncing off the ceiling

next step...drag the shutter or up the ISO

use your built in pop up flash?
if you want radio then cheapest is those phottix ones