Up My Mobile Light Game For $300!

I want to have a setup that I can carry around on my neck. Preferably no stands or things that are cumbersome to setup. I want a setup that would be well-suited for a photojournalist, or someone similar. No studio gear. I shoot mostly people, portrait type things...

I'm thinking some kind of bracket would be appropriate, but I'm clueless. I saw some video of this one that you can attach an umbrella, or softbox to. I've never used either of those things, but I'd be very interested in taking my first step into that world. Guide me? Show me what you think my best options are for $300 or less?

My current equipment:

Canon Rebel XS
50MM 1.8 II
18-55MM 5.6 II
Speedlite 430EX II
Off Camera Flash Sync Cord

THANKS SO MUCH! BEST WISHES!

like this?
http://www.alzodigital​.com …_bracket_umbrel​la_kit.htm
http://www.alzodigital​.com …_porta_flash_so​ft_box.htm

I use a flash bracket (manfrotto, not the alzo one) for night sports. And I use the alzo off-shoe cord, which I like better than the OEM Canon one (longer/looser coil and a metal, adjustable angle-bracket).

Yeah, that's the one I saw. Anything better than that for what my purposes are?/Which one should I go with if I go with that? Softbox or Umbrella? I have a feeling it'd be the umbrella I should go with. Also, again, I have $300, so if there's anything better...

Could I shoot in portrait mode with the Alzo umbrella kit? Wouldn't the umbrella be facing a funny direction?

SunnyOctopus wrote in post #11952158
Could I shoot in portrait mode with the Alzo umbrella kit? Wouldn't the umbrella be facing a funny direction?

You saw their animation of how the flip bracket works, right?

The flash/umbrella/softbox doesn't move.

Instead of that alzo get simple bogen 223B flash bracket for $70. Forget flipping cameras with today high res cameras you just crop.