What equipment is needed to hold up a backdrop and other accessories needed?

I just bought myself the Nikon D7000, with the 18-105 mm lens, the 70-300 mm lens and the 50mm f/1.8.

I also have an external flash. The SB-600 and I would like to take portraits with a black or white backdrop and was wondering everything I would need.

Thanks and an approximate on the price for the backdrops themselves and the supports and lighting

If your main purpose is portrait you would have been better off without the 70-300 and with a second flash.

Anyhow,

http://www.calumetphoto.com/eng/product/calumet_heavy_duty_background_support/mf6095 and a roll of background paper. Add a stand: http://www.calumetphoto.com/eng/product/calumet_13_5_air_cushioned_light_stand/mf6065 add http://www.calumetphoto.com/eng/product/calumet_umbrella_adapter_with_hot_shoe_mount/mf6829 and an umbrella http://www.calumetphoto.com/eng/product/norman_45_translucent_umbrella/nr4504 and you got the very basics.

Now it all gets a lot more interesting with a second flash on a sstand of course.

Oh, btw, no particular reason for mentioning calumet, just that I know they have a wide selection of studio kit but any other shop would be fine too.
Personally I'd say start by reading the strobist website and practice with a single flash and an improvised background (some cloth on a few simple hooks for example, and grow from there.

You need two things

A second flash so your lighting includes both key and fill lighting and a background stand.

If you buy another SB600 or the new SB700, you will have the ability to provide basic portrait lighting.

There's a rather inexpensive, portable background stand made by Savage (under $110).

Here is a link to it.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/..._Case.html

Or if you would like a chroma key background included, check out these links

http://www.chroma-key.com/item--Chroma-Key-5x7-Screen-Backdrop-Stand-w-case--COMBO57.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/...t_Kit.html

As with any background, you will need additional lighting for it, so in the end you will be looking at three to four electronic flash units to provide proper lighting for shooting portraits.

A single light providing portrait lighting will look more like a mugshot, than a portrait

The one time a single flash can be used successfully when shooting portraits is while doing outdoor portraiture and the main illumination is indirect sun and the flash is being used as fill light

You're going to have issues trying to light a subject AND a background with a single speedlight.

Buy a backdrop stand (plenty on eBay for about £70). Where are you intending to do these portraits? Do you have studio space? If you're planning to be mobile & you're shooting in small spaces, you' re going to have trouble keeping light off the backdrop as it'll reflect off nearby walls.

Best bet is to start with a light stand, umbrella adapter and a 42" umbrella. Get a reflector to bounce light in for fill. You will need another flash if you are wanting to rely on that for fill.

Read the Strobist blog;
http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/02/welcome-to-strobist.html

Search the Strobist group on Flickr;

Just to add - if budget's tight, you don't NEED to buy Nikon speedlights - yes, I know you have the Nikon wireless CLS system which is handy for TTL flash off camera, but there are ways to do this more cheaply and just as effectively - that leaves you more cash for more lights, stands & modifiers.