Affordable starter Studio Photography strobe lighting?

My friend wants me to handle a photoshoot for her in the next few weeks and I was looking into lighting for the white backdrop I currently already have, but I’m on a budget of about 300 dollars. Are there any fairly good quality brands In this price range? If not, is there a way to make hot lights, not so hot?I’ll choose best answer after I get enough replies. Thank you.

You could rent some gear.

I bought a bunch of cheap Manual only Flashes (43$Can):

http://cgi.ebay.ca/YN-460-Slave-Flash-Nikon-D5000-D700-D300-Diffuser-/230539840171?pt=Digital_Camera_Flashes&hash=item35ad3ecaab

Get a couple of light stands (50$Can for 2):

http://cgi.ebay.ca/2x-Light-Stand-1-90m-63-Studio-lighting-300W-/230538874788?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35ad300fa4

Get a kit of remote triggers (40$Can) … buy one that has enough receivers for your flashes:

http://cgi.ebay.ca/Wireless-Flash-Trigger-2-Receiver-NIKON-D80-D90-D60-/320603893973?pt=Camera_Flash_Accessories&hash=item4aa57b30d5

Get an umbrella (15$Can each) or two:

http://cgi.ebay.ca/2-x-32-Translucent-White-Umbrella-Studio-Light-/320602505751?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4aa5660217

Get a umbrella mount or two (8$Can each) :

http://cgi.ebay.ca/SWIVEL-FLASH-SHOE-MOUNT-UMBRELLA-HOLDER-ADAPTER-/330370788332?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ceba22bec

And you are set.

I like the kit above because it’s cheap, easy to carry and doesn’t require power outlets so you can use it on site even if there is no power like in the woods, in a grungy tunnell, in an abandoned house … sure, it doesn;t have the power of some of the nicer studio strobes like the ones from alien bees but it’s not a bad kit to get started with.

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