Studio Lighting for A Broke Beginner?

I got a new SLR camera and i want to take portrait photography, the only problem(s) is:


A. Im in high school so it would only be a hobby after school/ weekends


B. I dont have a lot of money to spend on the set


I know how i can get a cheap backdrop but for are there any cheap substitutes i can use for lighting and the light reflector things? Any examples would be great.Studio Lighting for A Broke Beginner?
in college i used bed sheets for backdrops and 2 cheap halogen clamp lamps and a 3 bulb light tree for lighting. i also used matte board covered with aluminum foil for reflectors and i usually made snoots out of whatever material i could find. usually cardboard.


your setup doesn't need to be expensive. just get something that can do directional light and something that gives all-over light.Studio Lighting for A Broke Beginner?
i used household lamps with white foam core for reflectors. just pay attention to the cameras light meter and use a tripod because your exposures will be longer than with actual studio lighting...however i still like that kind of lighting on some of my work, it is soft and compliments most faces.
Get shop lights from a hardware store and remove grids or other obstructions. You can improvise umbrellas from ';real'; umbrellas. Make reflectors from foil or white paper. Start simply with one light and build as you see needs.