What makes a great image? While some shutterbugs believe it's particularly the camera body or the lens, a new Kickstarter project called The Kick is betting on light.

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The Kick is a pocket-sized lighting studio for photos or video. It's a handheld, wireless device that emits bright light on demand. The Kick enables photographers to modify light for clearer images. Built-in effects such as rainbow lights, strobes or lighting effects can give photos or video a special touch.

The Kick-connected iPhone app is like a remote -- the effects and lights are adjusted on the iPhone. The phone's camera is ready to use after the brightness and temperature of the light is set.

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For now, project backers will receive the advanced Kick Plus with Wi-Fi for $99. The Kick Basic, $89 for initial supporters, comes without Wi-Fi features such as colored light or animated effects. In post-production, the Kick Basic will cost around $100 while the Kick Plus will retail around $150.

The project was created by Morten Hjerde and Pauric O'Callaghan of Rift Labs. The Kick is a working prototype that's been in development for three years. The project is halfway to the duo's initial $115,000 goal with 31 days to go on Kickstarter.

On Kickstarter, the demand and production of mobile camera apps and hardware is high. Tell us -- do you think camera phones will one day outshine expensive DSLR cameras?

This story originally published on Mashable here.