580exll help! please

[Newphoto]

Hello. I am new to photography, learning. I was doing some photography for a friends Bday and I rented the 580exII, I have never used and external flash before and told to just attach it and go.
I am using the entry level canon eos rebel xt 8meapixels. My problem was that when I did shoot it would flash, but when Itried to shoot again the flash would not fire. So out of 4 shots it fires once, I missed some good moments. I am sure its my fault operator error, I guess I don't understand the recycle rate? I thought it would just fire when I shoot, no matter how fast. Also the screen constantly blinks, is that normal? and the Pilot light stays red? Basically I want the flash to fire when I shoot, every time. and I would like to control the amount of flash output it gives, a lot the photos seem underexposed. So ANY help you can offer this very frustrated amateur would be appreciated.

[silversnapper1]

How was your camera set up?

You should be shooting with the white balance set to flash and a shutter speed around the synch speed of your camera, usually around 1/200 to 1/250. The flash should then fire automatically BUT you do have to give it time to recycle ie for the batteries to recharge it. You will never be able to rattle off flash pics machine gun style due to the recycle rates of the guns.

If you find that your pictures are underexposed, play about with the shutter speed or even increase your ISO, if you increase the ISO from 100 to 400, you effectively double the output of the flash gun. You could also check the power output on the flash gun. I don't know the Canon gun but my Nikon gun can be adjusted to vary the power output and yours might just be set on a low value.

Be patient, bide your time and wait for the best moments. Your photography will not improve otherwise.

[matt wilson]

I have the flash on a canon 50d .........it is brilliant but I agree it can be confusing to a beginner.

Set the camera to Auto and the flash to auto ?ettl and you will be fine as a starter.

However as you progress there are lots of features .

try reading this link

http://photonotes.org/articles/eos-flash/