Camera must be faulty

Does the camera blow out other shots, or just the ones using flash?

If you have a sticky/jammed aperture diaphragm it should show up in other shots, but if it's only with the flash then I would suspect that the flash has gone bad (wiring, sensor, whatever).

Good luck- a wonky flash is no one's friend.

The type of auto exposure used in the camera has a great deal to do with how well flash photography of models work.  The problem is that the flash is so close that the flash gun must cut off almost instantly after it starts.  The circuitry in some cameras is just not high bandwidth enough.  This used to be a common problem- one never took closeups with flash.  But the circuitry kept improving so that it works well with the best cameras.  Still, it is a challenge and some cameras may not be up to it. If your camera has a flash shoe on it it may be possible to use an external flash.

@Dre, it only does it on flash photography. if i close it (turn off) and use external lights, it's ok.

That's why I always try to photograph my models outside in natural sunlight.

Looking at a photo of that model camera, I noticed a small lens under the actual flash tube (small round circle). Make sure that recess is clear and clean since any obstruction can cause the sensor to not read the light bouncing off your subject resulting in over exposure.

If the problem only occurs with the flash in close ups, try covering the flash with a simple tissue to cut down on the light. You can fold the tissue to build up layers until you have the reduction of light that you need. Just be careful not to cover that sensor!

In a pinch I've used this trick to get surprisingly good macro close-up shots out of some cheap cameras when nothing better was handy.

Using photo editing software maybe have a look at the exif data for the photo.  Maybe take 2 photos, one with and one without the lash to see what setting is off

It sounds like the flash is just too close to the model. Here's an idea: stand further away from the model and use the zoom function. That might help.

seems to be the sensor has failed.

exif data:

Auto exposure, Program AE, 1/51 sec, f/2.9, ISO 200
Flash:    Off, Did not fire
Focus:    Auto
(pic no flash looks good)

Exposure: Auto exposure, Program AE, 1/64 sec, f/2.9, ISO 200
Flash:    Auto, Fired
Focus:    Auto
(pic flash white overload)

jtilley

It sounds like the flash is just too close to the model. Here's an idea: stand further away from the model and use the zoom function. That might help.

not that simple of an error. it had worked fine for flash in macro mode until recently.

in fact, at a distance, it's still washed out. Camera is still good with external illumination.

Thanks for the help. My brother bought a new camera and gave me his old one: Canon EOS 1100D