Flashgun and/or Interfit EX150

With the long winter evenings seeming to be approaching the North of Scotland, my wife is wanting to buy a new stove for the living room to replace the open hearth. Like an old dog, if she does this, I can no longer spend the winter watching the flames and the images it makes. As a result, I have started to think about some indoor winter photography. Sorry my grammer is wrong there ...... some indoor photography during the winter months.

I have read some reviews and it seems like the Speedlite 430EX is a good buy as is the Interfit EX150. Do I need a flashgun on the camera to make the lnterfix "flash"?

Also, as money is not limitless, and I am real beginner here, am I just better off with the flashgun and a cheap set of "worker's lights from the DIY store" and have a bit of fun. Perhaps making a soft-light box as I have seen on the threads here?

Personally I would steer away from using "workers lights" I take it you mean tungsten halogen floodlighting? Too hot for the model not to mention dangerous IMHO. I know there is a large thread on here about them somewhere, so I expect others to disagree.

Do you have a budget we can work to?

steveathome wrote in post #6130696
Personally I would steer away from using "workers lights" I take it you mean tungsten halogen floodlighting? Too hot for the model not to mention dangerous IMHO. I know there is a large thread on here about them somewhere, so I expect others to disagree.

Do you have a budget we can work to?

Many models friend of mine usually complain when other photographers use construction works to illuminate them, the heat that they produce is certainly not comfortable for them, and in the end the goal for a successful photoshoot is allowing the model or your subject to feel comfortable, so I am with you against hot flood lighting.

It had perhaps thought I would start off without any human interaction and would photograph "things".

Perhaps starting with items like a can of beans to get the focus and lighting spot (pun intended) on, them moving up to tricker items like bottles and glass. Once I had worked out the position and strengths of my "gear", I may turn to myself as a self-portrait. Once I comfortable that I could photograph the beast, I would turn to the beauty of others.

As for budget, perhaps £200/$400 at the start and then depending on how it went, more.