beginner

[deep]

I have a T2i with the standard lens that came with it. I want to start taking my own portraits instead of going to the studio. I am new to this scene. I have basic knowledge of aperture/iso/shutter speed. So what do i need to get started am on a budget. Portrait Lens, soft boxes or umbrellas, better flash. So if someone has been thru this road please let me know.

 

[KmH]

To do nice portraits you need to learn how to do photographic lighting.
Light Science and Magic, Fourth Edition: An Introduction to Photographic Lighting

There are many, many resources on the Internet that go into much more depth than can feasibly be done here on a discussion forum.
Introduction to Portrait Lighting
Portraits with Two Lights: Adding a Fill Light

Umbrellas are much less expensive than softboxes. 3rd party, manual only flash units are much less expensive than camera maker TTL speedlights

Portraits are made with a range of lenses, rather than just one lens. Your subject should be 6 feet or more from any background. How much room that leaves you to be in front of your subject, has a lot to do with which lens you will use most often. Many beginner Canon shooters start with Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lens
Just be aware that though that lens has some decent optics, the lens is so inexpensive because it has unusally low build quality, and some other technical issues, notably a low quality 'circle of confusion' (bokeh).

Good portrait lenses cost many hundreds of dollars. Pro quality portrait lens cost several thousands of dollars.

Impact Digital Flash Umbrella Mount Kit The umbrellas in this kit are only big enough for head shots.

Vivitar 285HV Auto Professional Flash

iSHOOT, PT-04 C Wireless Remote Radio Flash Trigger, with 3 receivers.

 

[johnh2005]

Wow, nice write up KmH. I appreciate you taking the time to do all of this. I am sure others and the OP will as well. Thanks!

 

[cameleon]

Awesome KmH!! Thanks!

 

[Ajlista]

Nice post KmH, appreciate it

 

[katerolla]

Go for the 50mm 1.8 lens I have this lens and use it quite a lot for portraits, it's a good cheap lens about $100 or so, but for your light I use 4 to 6 strobes they cost me just over $10,000. For beginners set up I would just get 2 or 3 speed lights from eBay speedlight | eBay the YN seems to be cheap and it just might do the job.