texashill,

In Aperture Priority (Av) you manually set the aperture value, and the camera sets the shutter duration (assuming you manually set the ISO).

Program Mode assumes you will use the back button Exposure Lock on the brighter background, thereby allowing the camera to use ETTL for the flash duration (exposure).
When you pre-compose the scene and use the center spot focus square you can lock focus on the subject, and then recompose for the final capture.
When you press the shutter button the camera uses the shutter duration to expose for the background, the shutter opens and the flash goes off and is controlled by the TTL metering in the camera.

Michael G

texashill,

You are most welcome.

I understand the modified settings you made, all cameras are slightly different, and present slightly different approaches to get the right result. The critical element is fully understanding what the Modes on the camera are doing at the instant we depress the shutter release button. Then we can modify our settings to fit the picture we are capturing.

Off Topic: Texas Hill Country, Fort Hood?, Johnson City?, Austin?, San Antonio?
I ponder to ask, 'cause I was a transplant from N. Calif to NE Texas, Texarkana, for a short spell.

Michael G

Setting your camera up for Exposure Compensation is another, and possibly the better choice. Try the following in your own home first.
1. Set the camera up for one - three external flash units controlled by the camera hot shoe. This requires ETTL exposure control.
2. Pick a manual ISO where the flash output will illuminate the entire room ahead of the camera. (ISO = 200 - 400).
3. Set the camera mode control to "Program". This will allow the camera to control the exposure and flash independently.
4. Point the camera out the window, with the center spot exposure box targeted to the bright area (not the sky), and press the back button for exposure lock. This will set the shutter duration for correct exposure out the window.
5. Point the camera "Center Spot Focus" square on the wall to be included in the composition, depress the shutter button half way. This will set focus lock for the scene and set the flash output for the room. The flash output will be controlled by the light measurement of the flash coming (TTL) through the lens.
6. Re-compose the scene in the viewfinder, make sure the center spot metering square is not near the window. Press the shutter button all the way down to capture the scene.

The above recommendations are based on decades old photographic practices with film cameras, but with the addition of modern camera electronic measurements and controls.
Michael G

Pops, first, welcome to the Hog.
From one woodworker to another, if you want to really, "show of your work", I would keep the DSLR in mind. If you want to really show off your work, you need to do it right, that means making it look like a studio shot, if you want it to look really good. It's basically product photography.
Now if you just want snapshots for your Facebook, your iPhone may be fine.
Just a different point of view. And don't discount something like a Canon SX model, which are VERY popular, if you don't need a DSLR. Good luck. ;-)
SS