This kind of lighting...

[fokker]

Low key lighting - Please note that the link shows a naked chick, so don't click on it if your boss/wife is watching... It's not actually an awesome example but the best I could find quickly. It gives the idea though.

nude | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

How to achieve it? I'm guessing that it's mostly a strong backlight with a reflector for a bit of side fill? Would you need to use a grid or something similar on the reflector to keep the light from spilling all over the place? Would a bare speedlight be suitable for a rear light or would you need a modifier?

 

[Aye-non Oh-non Imus]

At first glance, it looks like maybe a single strip box that has been flagged / gobo'd.

 

[tirediron]

Yeah, I'd go with that.

 

[Village Idiot]

Barn doors are an option too and will give you the harsher shadows from the direct light.

 

[Aye-non Oh-non Imus]

Barn doors are an option too and will give you the harsher shadows from the direct light.

I considered that, but did not think that barn doors would give the same top of frame to bottom as a long strip box (48" min.) would do. Could be wrong though.

 

[gsgary]

Maybe if you made a tall rectagular box about 12" deep and placed it close and fired you flash into the box you might be able to get similar lighting

 

[c.cloudwalker]

Barn doors are an option too and will give you the harsher shadows from the direct light.

I considered that, but did not think that barn doors would give the same top of frame to bottom as a long strip box (48" min.) would do. Could be wrong though.

I agree. Including the "could be wrong" part.

There are different ways to achieve one style of light and I usually find it hard to tell exactly how one image was lit for that reason.

In this case, I see a sidelight (maybe a slight bit to the back of the model but not much,) not a backlight but what kind of light it is... well, I've done it both with a strip light and a bare light with large black panels between the light and the model.

 

[gsgary]

Barn doors are an option too and will give you the harsher shadows from the direct light.

I considered that, but did not think that barn doors would give the same top of frame to bottom as a long strip box (48" min.) would do. Could be wrong though.

I agree. Including the "could be wrong" part.

There are different ways to achieve one style of light and I usually find it hard to tell exactly how one image was lit for that reason.

In this case, I see a sidelight (maybe a slight bit to the back of the model but not much,) not a backlight but what kind of light it is... well, I've done it both with a strip light and a bare light with large black panels between the light and the model.

Would the black panels be each side of the model parallel or before the light reaches the model if you know what i mean

 

[Aye-non Oh-non Imus]

I agree. Including the "could be wrong" part.

There are different ways to achieve one style of light and I usually find it hard to tell exactly how one image was lit for that reason.

In this case, I see a sidelight (maybe a slight bit to the back of the model but not much,) not a backlight but what kind of light it is... well, I've done it both with a strip light and a bare light with large black panels between the light and the model.

I agree 100% that I could be wrong. I also agee that some backlighting could be in play by way of the ever-so subtle lighting on the top and bottom of the image. Kudos to the photograher for that exact subtlety.

Would the black panels be each side of the model parallel or before the light reaches the model if you know what i mean

As long as the spill light is controlled, either option would be valid.

EDIT:
To the OP, just a thought. Discussions such as this should be the "Beyond the Basics" forum. I saw your MM thread and you are surely past the Beginners stage.

 

[gsgary]

Do you think the light could be angled up slightly, more light under her breast than above ?

 

[c.cloudwalker]

Do you think the light could be angled up slightly, more light under her breast than above ?

Could be. Although that is what made me think this may not be a strip light at all. It may be a shorter modifier and doesn't reach high enough.

The set up I was talking about, the panels would be between the light and the model, so, yes, before the model. Kind of like the light was shining on this girl through a barely opened door.

 

[Derrel]

It could have been lighted many different ways. With my kit, I would use an 11.5 inch reflector with a 65 degree beam spread, fit that with a 35 degree grid, and a set of 2-way barn doors. Then, I'd add a single thickness of either mylar diffuser or fiberglass screen diffuser in front of the grid. Judging by the dark shadows on the breast and hip bone,and how fast and harshly the shadows form, I do not think it was lighted by any kind of a "box". The light is coming from the side, and behind at least 30 degrees.