getting started .. lil help

[italypa99]

well i am looking to get started with some lighting ... but i really dont know where to start all i have at the moment is the canon 430ex but i was thinking about some studio lighting then i start hearing about soft box's and that kinda stuff i dont know what a soft box is and what it would do for me but i have seen pics with soft box and they look great any info would be good to help me know where to get started with lighting

thanks
tony

[MSPhoto]

You may have already done this, but for what it is worth, take a look at the sticky "Important Links - Studio Lighting." It has 4 very good links which are each a great start for your questions.

Mike

[italypa99]

thanks for you responce

[digitaljoe]

I would not buy cheap lighting - Alien Bees for those in the US and Elinchrom D-Lites for European photogs. I would not spend more on flashes - rather invest in studio kit.