Hey there. You can get foamcore from almost any art supply shop. It's pretty cheap and comes in sizes up to 4' x 8'. Now, while it's great stuff to use for reflecting light where you want it, setting it up is another matter altogether. If you and your models bring friends to the shoots youcan have the friends hold these sheets and direct the light. But if it's just you and your subject, you're in trouble. I haven't had to deal with it yet and I've been good at avoiding it so far, but the day I have to set up reflectors with helpers will be a sad for me because I have no idea how to setup reflectors cheaply without peopleholding them.
As for forums, this is a good place, or you can try
www.Photo.net, use the camera specific forums on
www.dpreview.com or enter the contests at
www.digitalphotocontest.com.
Sadly, you may not find a site that will cater to newbies that well, you will always have guys will bash your stuff and do their best to make you feel useless. If it doesn't sound like a constructive comment to you, ignore the person who made it. Don't confuse that with short and abrupt comments. Some comments that people make in as few words as possible can come out sounding rude although not intended that way. Of course some longwinded commentaries can sound rude too, you have to read between the lines if possible. Personally, unless it is obviously meant to be playful, I always assume people are trying to be serious and helpfull. It's made me look stupid a couple of times but at least I still tried to handle things as pleasantly as possible.
Anyway, I look forward to seeing some of your work. Bye for now.
