[Mike_e]

If I may barge in here and ask, does what I have been doing sound like what you are?
(sometimes the language thing...)

I first set the aperture and flash for correct exposure in manual. Second I meter the background and then under expose by 1 to 2 stops (more if there isn't enough light) to set the mood with the shutter speed.

The flash freezes the subject and the background is under exposed enough to hide any camera shake (hopefully). Is that about right?

mike