Backdrops - Advice needed

[nostalgic]

Having purchased a pair of studio lights to make portrait photographs a little more professional, I was wondering about backdrops. Can anybody tell me what the pros and cons are for either dark or pale backgrounds?

[Stemmy]

I have a white backdrop for my portraits but the trend seems to be moving to either grey or black at the moment.

[JSB]

What are the lights you have bought?

I want to also buy some studio stuffs but don't know where to start or what i need. How much are backdrops and stands and wheres the best place to buy? Same question for entry level studio lights.

[nostalgic]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110262071103&ssPageName=MERC_VIC_RCRX_Pr4_PcY_BIN_Stores_IT&refitem=110260358391&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=closed_view_item&usedrule1=CrossSell_LogicX&refwidgettype=cross_promot_widget&_trksid=p284.m183&_trkparms=algo%3DCRX%26its%3DS%252BI%252BSS%26itu% 3DISS%252BUCI%252BSI%26otn%3D4

These are the lights I got on EbAY, and the seller is also at the link. Very prompt and a good price I thought.

[JSB]

Please let me know how the lights perform :) As i'll prob buy them if you say they do the job well.