OK guys, please look at the pictures and the associated settings and let me know what I can do better.

I am using 1/200 shutter and f/8, but I have to use flash otherwise the pictures are very very dark.

This however achives a lot better picture than the AF mode, which looks wash out, and the ISO is always cranked all the way up without flash indoor.

I am going to experiment with the vivid mode next.

 

I am just starting off with my DSLR so I may be off here…
I would go for a lower f-stop in order to decrease my depth so that the cute subject pops out even more. Maybe you can try bouncing the flash to get rid of some of the shadows and lighten up the background

 

+1, f8 is unnecessary for those pics. Actually, the lowest f available would be perfect.

And +1 again, flash against the ceiling or against a wall behind you. Lighting is incredible. Although I must say it's surprisingly not too harsh in those shots.

FWIW, I never use the full manual mode. Most of the time it's P (canon ... it allows me to set everything if I want to, but also does it for me) or Aperture priority.

 

Thanks guys, I will try turning it down...

My D90 intro book from Amazon should be here in a few days. The factory manual is the suckage...

 

I am with Zorro on the P and Av...
the only time a use M or Tv is when I have the time to test the lighting and all or if I am on the track with fast cars