Hi, Im new to photography and I recently bought a Canon T3i. The first camera I got was not taking pictures properly and the button was messed up so I exchanged it for another one. I'm not sure if this one is malfunctioning or not but I'm trying to figure it out and I need some help. It refuses to take pictures when something is either too close or the lighting is a little dark. Is this normal for the T3i?? Sometimes I still want to take the picture even if it is dark or too close but it doesnt allow me to unless I switch to manual focus. I just want to know if this is how the camera should be?

If it's on autofocus and it can't, then no, it won't take a picture. If you're using the viewfinder, then you'll see the focus points, when you half-press then the ones that are correct will flash "led red"; the green spot at the bottom right will go solid 'on'. If none of the focus points pull in, then the green spot will flash and it won't take a picture.*

Also when the flash is on and I try to take pictures, sometimes the flash will go off but it doesnt take any pictures. Is it again because I am too close or is something wrong with my camera?

It does some test flashes so that it can 'measure' how much light comes back from the subject. That way, it can get the exposure right.

I'm not sure about refusing to take if there's not enough light... I just tried my T2i with the lens cap on, and it didn't take, but I think that's because of a failure to focus, not lack of light. Er... update: I just tried it with the lens cap on, and manual focus, and it obediently took a black picture.

* which worries me because I think I told someone the opposite last week