How to make such light

I really impressed by this photo.
http://ppcdn.500px.org …55dcfb220404d5b​0/1080.jpg

Can somebody explain or make a guess on how to make such photo?

How to get such light which targets only on the face?
Or it`s just a post-processing?
How many light sources did the author use?
I can`t understand the lighting setup.

My guess.

Gridded main camera right above subject, feathered towards subjects right shoulder. Looks like a softbox maybe.

Single, possibly gridded light directly behind subject aimed at backround.

A largish softox high camera right feathered across the face. The glint on the hair (camera left) indicated a reflector just behind the subject camera left to fill the shadows and another light on the background. A decent distance to the background will make it easy to keep the main light from effecting the background.
An ND filter over the lens to allow you to open it up for the shallow DOF, or a supertelephoto lens.

I agree with Scatter but I would say large softbox in very close and feathered probably a reflector camera left though no cathlight in the eyes to indicate that. Also the gentle light on her jaw line would also indicate reflected light coming back in from that side. Subject out 6 or so ft from B/G and spot on the B/G. I shoot portraits all the time at 2-2.8 with an 85L and it really softens the B/G. I never use a ND. I just dial the mono light down all the way. And I also spot the B/G. I do use a reflector most to the time.

IMHO, it was done one of two ways…..

1.) Medium softbox/umbrella to camera right with a spot on the background with perhaps a reflector for fill. Little vignetting in PP.
2.) Medium softbox/umbrella to camera right with no spot on the background with perhaps a reflector for fill. Heavy vignetting in the corners done in PP which makes it appears to have a light spotting the background.

airfrogusmc wrote in post #16776130
Also the gentle light on her jaw line would also indicate reflected light coming back in from that side.

The light on her chin is reflected from her shoulder. Probably no reflector.

I'd lean towards a closer, smaller light rather than farther, larger.

The lighting is great. But I think the color correction and great focusing/DOF is what makes the image that much better.

Edit: on second look the eyes and the strand of hair should both be in focus. Probably some selective sharpening/blurring going on.

BTW, hot linking other people's images is frowned on. You should replace the image with a link to the photographer's website.

hes gone wrote in post #16776196
=he's gone;16776196]The light on her chin is reflected from her shoulder. Probably no reflector.

I'd lean towards a closer, smaller light rather than farther, larger.

The lighting is great. But I think the color correction and great focusing/DOF is what makes the image that much better.

Edit: on second look the eyes and the strand of hair should both be in focus. Probably some selective sharpening/blurring going on.

Yes you could be right about the light reflecting off her shoulder and the warm processing is really nice on the original. I think the one I posted this was shot at 2.8, 85L.

Scatterbrained wrote in post #16776111
A largish softox high camera right feathered across the face. The glint on the hair (camera left) indicated a reflector just behind the subject camera left to fill the shadows and another light on the background. A decent distance to the background will make it easy to keep the main light from effecting the background.
An ND filter over the lens to allow you to open it up for the shallow DOF, or a supertelephoto lens.

CameraCanon EOS 60D
Focal Length85mm
Shutter Speed1/200 secs
Aperturef/1.8
ISO/Film100

hes gone wrote in post #16776206
=he's gone;16776206]BTW, hot linking other people's images is frowned on. You should replace the image with a link to the photographer's website.

This. It's only a matter of time before the mods do it for you.

v35skyline wrote in post #16776216
CameraCanon EOS 60D
Focal Length85mm
Shutter Speed1/200 secs
Aperturef/1.8
ISO/Film100

Yes, I saw that.

I was looking at his other stuff. I like his work. Reminds me of Rembrandt

60D with 85 at 1.8 is more like 135 at about F2.8
Her shoulder is sharp.
Most of this is post processing. A good basic exposure and lighting. Heavy sepia like toning and skin, etc. is probably post.