Softbox Photography

What wattage of bulb should I get for a softbox ?

I am starting a photography course next month, but in the meantime would like to set up a studio in my house (backdrop stand,backdrops) I was thinking of getting 1 large softbox or two smaller softboxes. I am taking photos of my baby, so 1 large softbox would likely be good enough as that is what my professional photographer uses. I wanted to start out with “continuous lighting” not using flash in the sotfboxes, I would like to wait until I have learned about that in college before buying all of that equiptment. I see reasonably priced softboxes online, but they all have bulbs with different wattage. I wondered what would be best for me ? My “studio” has a fair amount of natural light due to a large window, and I am taking photos of a BABY.
I would appreciate advice because I would like to purchase a softbox very soon.
Thank you in advance for all of your answers !

Well, consider that if you bought continuous lights you’d be burning energy while not shooting and it won’t be as powerful as most studio strobes.
You also have to realize that those hot lights produce a lot of heat, so your question is dependent on how much heat your particular softbox can handle/disperse. If your softbox doesn’t have vents the lights themselves will basically light it on fire.

Also, buying one thing now to tide you over until you buy something else later just means that you STILL have to buy that something else.

Lots of things can be done on the cheap. Check out Strobists http://www.flickr.com/groups/strobist/ When buying stuff that fits into the Strobist way of thinking ask yourself if your purchase can be dual use. i.e. if you need a flash for your Canon camera already there’s no use in buying generic flashes just because they’re cheap and also buying Canon flashes. You may as well just buy Canon flashes.

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