How much difference does a flash make?
 

Pics were taken less than 5 seconds apart, and I used the flash first.

The answer (with a Olympus Camedia D-490) :

With flash:

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member...75_15_full.jpg


Without the flash:

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member...75_16_full.jpg

where is the reflection coming from in the bottom pic then?

With the flash you're exposure settings are based on the flashes output. Your flash is built in, so it doesn't cover too much, and all you really see is what got the flash.

2nd pic, it's blurry because the camera was open a long ass time :wink:

About 700' behind me there is a Industrial Machine/Weld Shop with the loading docks light bars on -very bright.... I'm glad my bedroom doesn't have a window on that side.

Boy, i'm gonna forget you said that. :wink:

That looks like a typical result for an outdoor flash photo. Most attached flashes (as mentioned) will only affect objects fairly close to the camera, and dull out everything around the item photographed.

Good thing you fixed that :lol: