please help with portrait lighting

[Nigel Robertson]

I am normally a semi professional landscape photographer. As we have now

a new baby, I am interested, naturally enough about portraits.

All previous attempts have been very amateurish.

I have seen some very impressive photos with a model sitting in from of
a candle lit cake. This provided very soft and warm lighting. A great
result.

I am after any ideas for either home made lighting or tips as above (the

cake idea) to really improve my portraits. I am intending to buy a cokin

694 P diffusor filter as an addition to my filter range. Is this a good
choice, or are there better ideas?

Thanks in advance

Nigel Robertson