In another post, we were discussing multiple strobes and the reasons for using a third light. Part of my contribution to the thread was my opinion that a photographer should approach lighting each shot with a single strobe as the starting point. Then only add additional lights if they bring something to the image. If you always start with three lights, you'll most likely use then in the traditional way (key, fill, hair), and most likely end up with traditional looking image because of it.
If you limit yourself to one strobe and work that light to its best advantage, many times you may find that it works perfectly all by itself, or balanced with the available lighting. If thats the case, you've probably made the image more dramatic in the process, simplified your work, and reduced your setup time. All good things if you still end up with a better image for it.
So I'd love to see more posts in this thread with images taken with a single strobe, or a strobe and balanced creatively with ambient lighting. There are many different ways to use a single light creatively. First is to get it off the camera if its a hot shoe flash, and move it away from the camera position. Same with studio lighting. Then some further modification with snoots, grids, diffusion, etc, will come in handy.
If you don't have snoots, grids, etc, no fear. They are easily made in minimal time with common household materials. You can made a snoot out of a cardboard tube or box cut to shape and taped (if you use a studio strobe, be mindful of the heat generated from the modeling lights), or aluminum foil shaped and taped to the strobe head. You can use things in front of the strobe to cast shadows or patterns, such as a plant, cardboard with cutouts in various shapes, mirrors reflecting light, and so on. Lots of possibilities if you think about ways you see light modified by various objects in every day life. Ie, the interesting light that is created when sunlight passes though old glass windows, or a drinking glass. Shadows and such created on a wall by the sun coming through trees, a slit in a barn wall, or being reflected off a buildings windows.
Anyway, post any images here taken with a single strobe, or hot light, in a creative way. I'll start off with a couple from the recent post I mentioned, and perhaps a couple others to give everyone ideas. It will be fun to see how others approach it, and what gets posted. Its not a contest, no critique, just for fun.
Oh, and a large reflector is pretty cheap compared to a second strobe, and can really add the look of a second strobe in many cases. If it comes down to books or lab fees vs a reflector or strobe, you can always make one in any size out of cardboard and aluminum foil for a few dollars 
One light, camera left shot through an umbrella.
