All through my visit to my Mom's house for Christmas I was mocked for having my big ugly camera with my dorky flash attachment. But when it comes time to swap photos after the holidays, guess whose will be tolerable, and guess whose won't?

Here's a simple example. The following picture was taken with an expensive digital camera using its built-in flash:

While THIS picture was taken with my (cheaper) camera using an external flash aimed at the ceiling, so that the light bounces indirectly onto the subject matter. This was in the same room, at the same people, at the same time:

See how you can tell what color things are supposed to be? See how the people look like they're living their lives, instead of being charged with felonies at the local police station?

Bounce flash, people. Believe.