Did I get a decent beginner set-up

[DreDaze]

so i don't know much about studio/flash type shots...however my boss was telling me he has some old photography lights in his attic, and offered them to me...i said sure as i figured there'd be something in there of value...anyways this is what i got from him...now i know it's not some expensive strobe or anything...but hell i was just happy to get the light stands, so i can mount my 430EX off of them...here are the pics

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3424/3366567655_bf4f216938.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3429/3367348764_b52db00cca.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3469/3367355462_9023708a6e.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3586/3367371054_bd6582010b.jpg

there are two of the flood lights....also the bulb on the black light is burnt out, can you pick up these bulbs at just a local hardware store?

also these things are bright as all hell...i'm assuming that i need to get/make some sort of softbox, or get a couple of umbrellas/mounting brackets for them

i'm not planning on doing much with it...no serious portraits or anything, just looking to have some fun, some self portraits, and try and improve my techniques

thanks for any info

[Rey.dos]

good stuff man from your boss...good that you got free stands...

[DreDaze]

haha...so that's all thats decent huh?....oh well...can anyone tell me where i could pick up one of those lightbulbs though?...i figure i can at least mess around with it for a bit, before splurging for another flash to mount along with my 430EX

[GenuineRolla]

They're not bad but they're just hot lights. You'll do the settings pretty much like you would with ambient light.