The Strobist's Lighting 101 turned out be a great resource on the basics of lighting and off camera flash. I highly recommend it if you want to learn how manipulating light can be done.

I then started collecting equipment. Thankfully, I was able to receive a light stand and umbrella from my dad, an art teacher who occasionally photographs his ceramic pieces. For the rest of the equipment pieces, I settled on a Yongnuo YN560 iv speedlight, a Yongnuo RF-603 ii flash trigger/wireless shutter release, and a Neewer umbrella swivel.

It took quite a bit longer than I wanted to receive all my parts, but once they arrived I began experimenting immediately. Here are the some of the results after three days of shooting. Enjoy!