There are many types of flash photography, and each can make a photo look completely different!

By making the smallest of adjustments, you can enhance a photo 100%. The types of flash photography you can use, depends on your camera type.

Compact Digital Camera

Unfortunately, if you are using one of these, you are very limited as to what types of flash photography you can experiment with. Either read the relevant section in your camera's manual, or search for reviews on your particular camera online. This may give you some pointers.

Most modern point and shoots, however, have a setting whereby you can add fill-in flash, anti red-eye flash or simply turn in off. Practice with each setting and try to get creative.

If you are in a situation where you need the camera on Full Auto but do not want the flash to fire, an easy way to prevent it is to simply put your finger over the flash bulb as you fire.

If you want to diffuse the flash, tape some tissue paper over the flash and vary the thickness to alter the amount of diffusion.

You can even use the camera's built-in-flash to fire as many "Slave" units as you like. For example, the Sigma EX-530 DG Super, has a sensor which picks up your camera's flash and fires simultaneously without the need for wires.

You can place the "Slave" unit anywhere in the room where it will receive the light, and Hey Presto! you have studio capabilities.

Advanced Digital Compact Cameras

As long as your camera has a manual setting, and a hot-shoe and/or PC-sync socket, you should have the same amount of control over your external flash as an SLR.

You can either have a hot-shoe mounted flash, or a bracket mounted flashgun like the Metz CL-4. Either way, with the right accessories, you can use the flashgun "Off-camera" and get really creative.

If the camera has an auto built-in flash, I would turn it off as it may affect any readings from other external light sources. Like the compact digitals, you can use as many "Slave" units as you wish.

Professional/Semi-Professional DSLR

Obviously as the names suggest, these cameras have the full capability for all types of flash photography or studio lighting.

For some internal photography work, I have on occassion, had 2 flashguns attached to my camera. One unit attached to the camera's hotshoe and the other (A Metz CL-4 hammerhead) attached to the base of the camera via the supplied bracked and PC-sync cord.