That's Croton-on-Hudson painter/my friend
Eddi Fleming helping with the props. Those props, including the gorget
in the final image, were major elements in creating the mood of
photograph. Check out Eddi's web site to see her wonderful paintings.
My main light was a Spiderlite in a Westcott 12 x 36-inch Stripbank, which was placed fairly close to the subject – because the closer the light, the softer the light. The Stripbank has a recessed front panel, which helps shape and direct the light, as opposed to some softboxes that don't have recessed panels. I used a bare-bulb Spiderlite to light the background, which was a Westcott Masterpiece Muslin Sheet Background.
To check the lighting, especially the shadows, I printed copies of the painting I found on the Web and put them around my office.
I shot with my Canon 5D Mark III and one of my favorite portrait lenses, the Canon 70-200mm f/2.8. I shot tethered to my Mac computer so we could all see a large image. I set up my camera on my Induro tripod.
Behind Jay (mostly out of sight) is a Westcott 6-in-1 Reflector Kit. I had planned to use the silver side of the reflector to fill in some of the shadows on Jay's face, but Eddi pointed out that Rembrandt often used deep shadows in his paintings, so I decided not to use that accessory.
We can learn so much, especially about light, from studying the work of master painters, including: If you want an interesting portrait, don't light the entire subject.
Try recreating a masterpiece in your home. It's a challenge and good fun.
Explore the light,
Rick