experience coping with blackout lead I to experiment with lot of battery light -- fluorescent , lead , and conventional incandescent bulb . this 6 d-cell light provide the largest area and brightest illumination . here 's how I use it : I set it vertically so its beam bounce off white ceiling . I also use some handy household object as a base holder to keep it from tip . in the kitchen it provide enough light -lrb- while aim at the white ceiling -rrb- to prepare a simple meal use the gas stove -- and for wash dish afterward . later , in a 20 ' x 30 ' live room , it provide enough light bounce off the ceiling so that everyone could sit , talk , eat dinner , and see everyone else in the room . that be comforting & reassuring ! finally , in the bathroom & bedroom , this very bright light , aim at the white ceiling , provide enough illumination for showering and brushing tooth as well as allow two person to move around a bedroom without bump , stumble , or stub toe .