Rembrandt lighting is about contrast. Look through the page with the link I provided above, and check out the examples, paintings and old photographs, and you will see what it's about.
Turn off the left softbox. Raise the one on the right higher, and see what you get. But I am not sure what you are looking for. There is no need to put a sticker and a name on the lighting type in order to get a good image. If you like your results, that's what matters...
I'd say that this is not Rembrandt lighting in the way it has come to be defined by photographers.
This photo is more broadly lit - meaning the light is from the camera side. Rembrandt lighting is based on short lighting - light from more behind the model.
As David says - move the light up, around and kill the fill. Try using a smaller soft box too. Giant ones make light that has less contrasty shadows.
I can't imagine taken an image without a sort of diffuser??
And why not? There is no right or wrong lighting, only what is appropriate for the tone you wish to set and image you wish to achieve. This shot (warning: nudity) used a strobe with just the standard reflector dish on it. I like the effect.
Try not to be so be so closed minded, and start imagining
Hey Sheherd, this is the first time someone calls me close minded
How else should one interpret a comment like "I can't imagine taken an image without a sort of diffuser" ? Why can't you? Tons of quality photos are taken without the use of a diffuser. To feel that you must use a softbox, umbrella, brolly, or equivalent seems pretty closed minded to me.
And by the way, there is such a thing as wrong lighting!
I disagree. I think for any lighting setup, there is a possible shot for which that setup would be ideal for.
Now if you had a very specific shot in mind, with a certain pose, mood, and style, then sure you could have right or wrong lighing for that shot, but again, I'd say it's close-minded to state categorically that a particular lighting setup is wrong, all the time, in all situations.
Well, thx all, I guess with what I learned here, I will have to do some extra testing.
I also acquired the book " lighting the nude" that looks very interesting to me.
