Various problems leading to poor pictures.

[INXS]

Hi,
I'm using a Nikon CP 990 and have experienced various problems - some camera related and others photographer related.
I was hoping for some input.

I would like to use a manual focus but can't figure out how to. Also I wonder if I can increase the ASA sensativity to speed up the pictures without flash. The white balance also seems to mess things up - especially in flash mode and particularly at different distances. As a matter of fact the whole low light is giving me problems. The last batch of pictures I was attempting macro and the flash only lit part of the picture along with the autofocus problem of the camera.

OK - I'm a dunce, the whole digital thing is a lot different then my old Canon F1 in manual mode [smilie=doh.gif]

Her are a few examples:
http://pic3.picturetrail.com/VOL22/551337/2987853/44870413.jpg
This picture is too dark to show the fish off nicely, the flash is 'leaking in' eventhough I moved the angle several times .
http://pic3.picturetrail.com/VOL22/551337/2987853/44882662.jpg
The background got lit up and the fish are 'washed out'. I would like to be able to shoot faster without flash and still have sharp pictures.
http://pic3.picturetrail.com/VOL22/551337/2987853/36527555.jpg
Flash only lights part of the picture and I'm not happy with the color.
http://pic3.picturetrail.com/VOL22/551337/2987853/36530124.jpg
Flash or exsisting light doesn't light the picture enough and camera doesn't focus on the subject properly.
http://pic3.picturetrail.com/VOL22/551337/2987852/44676038.jpg
I want to take some of those cool macro shots - and end up with this : dark and out of focus plus it isn't even as close as I'd like it to be.

I'll start with these .
Any help will be greatly apprettiated.
Thanks.

[CDM]

The internal flash is coming from the left hand side, so when you take macro shot, the lens itself will block the flash so darken the rite side of the photo (#3 & #5). You need an external flash for the macro shot.
Lighting is the top issue to get good quality of photos. Stronger the better, it not only gives you brighter image, but also: Makes the shutter speed faster, gives you a better accuracy of autofocus (#4), avoid deviation of autofocus by glass (#4). Plecos sometimes stick underside the wood or rock, which blocks the top-down light to stop you from taking bright enough pic.

As for the manual focus, though I'm not familiar with Nikon, but, here is a nice website to describe it all: (with some very useful informations)
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikoncp990/