All,

Been mulling over ideas about lighting, particularly supplementary lighting for outside shots.

I was thinking that If I could get my hands on low cost battery-powered lighting elements (that flat white 'flash' light) you could create some nice shots by playing with creating false shadows outside away from power sources, etc.

Does such a thing exist? Or should I been looking around for those stark LED torch things you can buy and just taping them to branches of trees or under a bridge permanently on and taking my shots at a distance as usual?

Has anyone done anything like this, or have I just given a cool idea to everyone else who is more talented than me?

P~

In the absence of anything else, what about something like this? : http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=46996&utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=Google-Products-UK

P~

Define low cost.

Vivitar makes some that will work for @ $100 (285hv). Or you can always buy used speedlights.

Any of these you can either sync to the camera via cord (or hotshoe), or for more dosh ($80) get a wireless trigger like the Cactus V.

These will give you the most power/dollar - and flexibility.

I have a couple of different sized Lenser torches that are fantastic.

Might be a bit more than you want to spend for photography but they are also a damn useful tool to have around.

The P14 would give you more lighting options too - change the strength of the beam and also the focus (tigt/narrow - flood).

I've been looking at the LED bicycle lights since posting above. Less than a tenner each, so assuming they are powerful enough, they could prove an interesting option...

I like that DIY spirit, though more standard gear will give more consistent results. That said, I've had good luck with cheapo portable worklights form the hardware store.

I think I am attracted to the compact nature of the bike lights, as you could pretty much tape them anywhere and then disguise them - hell, I even like the idea of taping a couple to a model's back so they are actually the source of the highlights. It's a case of finding something powerful/white enough to create an obvious amount of light, even in daylight. (UK daylight, remember...which is a kind of grey gloom at the best of times )

It's a case of finding something powerful/white enough to create an obvious amount of light, even in daylight.

Yah, I think you're going to have to move towards strobes to be obvious in daylight.

Cool!! Can I induce fits as well?

I am concentrating on trying to keep costs down as I have such a habit of spunking piles of money on whims that never come to anything. I don't mind trying new things, I just need to stop buying stuff I don't always need.