Low key portrait with single flash with a snoot

In the interest of improving my skills as a portrait photographer I am embarking on a project, who knows how long, to master every piece of equipment I own and try as many practical tips and ideas as possible from the many books, YouTube videos and Flickr groups I have access to, as well as my own.

I will appreciate any and all practical comments on what works and does not work in these tests, what I can improve and what new techniques I should try.

This is lit entirely by a single flash with MagGrid. F/7.1 and 75mm to achieve the front to back sharpness. Rembrandt lighting: 45% to the side and above the subject.

Processing (Lightroom):

• Color profile Modern 07 (warm, contrasty)
• Curve adjustment: Darks +40
• Highlights -13
• Whites +30
• Split toning: Shadows blue at 12% saturation - very subtle, mainly for experimental purposes

The good: Natural looking light from a flash. Rembrandt lighting more or less mastered. MagGrid kept the light from reaching the wall. Shirt matches light.

The bad: The only lighting scheme I know. Not too dark?

Next steps: Try lightbox instead of MagGrid, see if more even light on body and wall is a plus. Try two flashes (hair).

Try dark polo shirt.