Need help, noob here to flash photography

[JBMills]

Hey guys, I'm new to off camera flash photography and really want to get going with the least amount of money spent if possible. I know that's probably been said 100 times, well, there was 101.

I have a Canon 40D with a 580exii flash. I have a homemade reflector with I've used while the flash was on camera, with pretty good results I might add.

I want to do some small portrait work and get the hang of using my flash off camera before adding another. I want to do all this, so, please give ideas for what exactly I need to purchase.

links helpful, appreciate it!

-jb

[Curtis N]

Your camera and flash both have PC sockets. So all you need to connect your flash off-camera is something like this:
http://flashzebra.com/products/0101/index.shtml
Any male-male PC cord can work, but I highly recommend the screwlock type for superior reliability.

You'll also want a light stand, an umbrella, and a swivel bracket like this:
http://flashzebra.com/brackets/0041.shtml

For your first umbrella, I would suggest a white convertible in the 42" neighborhood.

You can probably get this all done for under $100.

[JBMills]

thanks for your help curtis. appreciate it.