hi guys, I have a 700D equipped with a 430EX II flash. I notice that whatever settings I use on the camera (idk how to configure the flash settings)

Manual, shutter speed 1/200, ISO auto, aperture 5.6,

in a dark place (but background is stage with lights) the subject is very clear and visible due to the flash, but the background is pitch black? I am told that this is because I set the flash on auto or something and the flash strength is too bright, I'm quite confused and am unable to Google the solution, could anyone here please enlighten me? thank you!

Flash need to be bounced (I assume you are indoor since you mentioned stage).

Related article

http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2012/02/...4-simple-steps/

Set your iso to 800 (higher the better to soak up more ambient, till noise level you're comfortable with), shutter speed 1/60, aperture to the largest you deem sufficient for dof, doesn't matter flash bounced or not. This is just a rough guide. But it'll get you what you're looking for. Tweak to own usage on the field.

This post has been edited by lwliam: Jun 19 2015, 10:33 PM

Try put a white diffuser on the flash. Since it's on stage, I guess bounce flash out of question.

This post has been edited by DaddyO: Jun 21 2015, 04:50 PM

If I did not guess wrong, u are using zoom lens 18-200mm or other that zooming until the range of 200mm. few of the reason;

1. flash can't reach too far (just guessing)
2. ISO need to set at least 800 or above
3. I guess u must be snapping some fast action scene that's why u setting the shutter speed to 1/200 else try to lower it to 1/100 or lower.
4. as i said if u can go nearer, u can change your aperture to 3.5 for 18-200mm lens or u got some nasty big aperture lens which can set the aperture to as big as possible (lower the aperture number)

I can't complete helping u but if u provide more details, maybe we can solve your issue. good luck

Ur background is underexposed. ..
1. Use slower shutter speed.
2. Use lower f/stop to let more ambient light.. but u need to reset flash power and fix ur iso. Shouldn't use auto iso with manual flash

Edit: just realized that u use ettl not manual flash..my bad

whoever told you that has no knowledge of how the settings work.

your subject is very clear and visible means nothing wrong with the flash, it looks like it's on ETTL.

background is dark because you are on 1/200 shutter speed, f/5.6 and ISO auto of which the camera is likely to set it to ISO 400 or below.

Change the settings to 1/60 (you get around 1.5 stops extra light)
Aperture at f/5.6 is fine, I use that too.
ISO set to 800 - 1600. That should get you 1 - 2 stops more light.

The flash will know how to adjust itself to suite the setting.

Lowering f/stop won't let in more ambient. Lowering shutter speed on the other hand, will.

both can let more ambient. .
What I meant by lowering fstop was increasing the lens opening.. i.e. f22 -> f4
But if do this , flash power has to be reduced ( I was talking about manual flash setting btw but realized it was not what TS doing)

my preference will be:

Shutter:1/50 or 1/60
Aperture f/4 to f/5.6
Iso: 800 or above.. (depends how your machine noise level can go)

Hope it helps..