I was pointed in the direction of the Strobist Blog, which you can also link to from the blog links over there–>>>
The author is David Hobby, a photographer for The Baltimore Sun Newspaper in the U.S. so the majority of the information is in reference to actual photo-shoots he has done for his day-job, and also some other “assignments” he has been commissioned to do.

Here is a small extract from the site to explain what it’s about,

This website is about one thing: Learning how to use off-camera flash with your dSLR to take your photos to the next level. Or the next ten levels.

Here, you’ll find everything you need to know about how to more effectively use your small speedlights. There are more than 1,000 articles about lighting. Over two million photographers from around the world have learned small-flash lighting techniques from this site. We’re thinking you can, too.

Given the need for the flash to be moved around, away from the camera, I have had to purchase some Wireless Flash Triggers. There is a vast amount of these on the market, ranging from $30, Chinese-made versions, right up to the top-of-the-line, $300 Pocket Wizards.
To begin with I have simply invested in some of the relatively cheaper units, and am currently awaiting their arrival. From reading a number of reviews, the quality and functionality of the cheap units has become much better over the last year or so, and for a lot of users, are quite adequate. The professional photographers will still use the expensive Pocket Wizards for their bullet-proof reliability and extra functionality.

Have a read of the blog, begin with the “Lighting 101″ tutorials for an insight into how photographers achieve the results you see every day in newspapers, magazine, advertisements, etc.

Also I’ll add some of my own work once I take delivery of the units and get some shots under my belt.

Preview at www.Dpreview.com CLICK HERE

Luckily I got in before the coming price rise and also managed to bargan a substantial discount from the salesman at the time too.

The “External” type flashes (as opposed to those that are built into the camera body) are far superior units, as they have a number of great features such as.
-The flash is physically further away from the lens, which eliminates the “Red-Eye” problems as seen with compact cameras and even the built-in flash on SLR’s
-The Speedlite has much greater lighting output power to cover a much larger area and distance, as well as giving you the ability to “bounce” the flash off a ceiling, wall or other reflector for a much more diffused and natural light.
-The speedlite is also able to be swiveled and tilted away from the subject to give much more “dynamic” looking images, as opposed to the flat and washed out images that are ususlly assosciated with flash photography.

Anyway, for further techincal info and techniques, I found this link the other day, which i found very interesting and helpful in understanding the basics of flash photography.

Flash Photography

She will heave her first serious outing this weekend, when i’m shooting a wedding for some friends of mine so i will be very intertested in the results that i achieve.
Watch this space for some sample shots from the wedding.