How to soften the flash on a canon eos 500d?

Is there a way to soften the flash on a canon eos 500d?


When i'm taking photos at night it flashes like 5 times also is there a way to minimize the amount of times it flashes before taking the photo?How to soften the flash on a canon eos 500d?
Turn off the anti-redeye feature and the flash will fire one time per shot. The little light on next to the shutter release is the auto-focus assist feature and it is quite dim. Some of the newer, more advanced DSLR's use near IR light to assist focusing in low light so it does not distract the subject





To soften the flash, you will need a diffuser. You can find them designed for various different DSLR's Gary Fong is one of the most successful suppliers of those flash diffusers





http://store.garyfonginc.com/puf-01.htmlHow to soften the flash on a canon eos 500d?
Jacob didn't quite explain what's happening. The camera needs light to focus so it uses those flashes to see its subject and focus on it.





I have that flash function turned off as well and I suffer for it at times


because some of my shots come out of focus.





Check your owner's manual, it'll explain how to do that. Also be aware that you'll have to shoot in program mode for this to work. Full auto is exactly that, full auto - every thing works.





I know because I own an XS (1000D) and I'm sure yours has the same programming modes that mine does.
There is an option in the menu to turn off the AF Illuminator. This will take away the flashes before the shutter fires. You will lose some of your auto focus ability in low light.
Try adjusting your flash settings according to the particular light condition you are shooting.