[hammondsenior]

hi everyone, i have been scouring the net for lighting advice and tutorials, but i cant really find a good concise guide for someone with no experience in this area whatsoever. so, i have decided to ask all the questions buzzing around my head on here. there are bound to be some i dont ask, so if anyone wants to chip in with their own questions please feel free! ok, here goes:

what are the different types of lights and what would each be used for?

what power/wattage is best for what situations?

what are the various attachments for? (umbrellas, softboxes, snoots, etc.)

do you need flash, or would a constant light source suffice?

what brands are best for value/quality/reliability, and are there any brands that are best avoided?

how is colour temperature controlled when using lighting?

are kits good value for money?

how many lights are needed for what situation?

is second hand gear good, or best avoided?

i konw a lot of this is basic stuff, but it would be really useful to have it explained by someone who knows what they are on about, and to have it all in one post.

many thanks, craig