For @Kateli This is how yesterday's photo "Sort of Rembrandt lighting self portrait" was shot. There is 1.2 meter to the wall and 1.5 meter to the light. This throws just enough light on the wall that it does not have to be lit special. I thought the light was at 45 degrees to the face, but it is slightly less. Shall we say 35 degrees? This is the reason the "light triangle" under the left eye is large and the entire left side is lit more than in a traditional Rembrandt light portrait, an example of which I linked yesterday.
The light is also not high enough to be at 45 degrees to the face in the vertical plane. I don't think I ever raise it to 45 degrees, I think it is also something close to 35 degrees. These two angles -- how far out to the side and how high up -- need to be played with and set "to taste". I am sure 45 + 45 creates really dramatic light, it's just not what I was after. It seems I use 35 + 35 without really thinking about it, just from experience. My other setup is with the light right next to the camera, so there is a 0-5 angle to the face and just slightly above for a 10 degree vertical angle. Does this make sense?
The camera is far enough to ensure 100mm focal length can be used, at f/5.6 on a full frame. This ensures sufficient depth of field and the desired "compression" of the facial features, mainly the nose.
The overhead light needs to be off when shooting because the color of light is wrong (yellow). If shooting during the day, the shutters on the window can be opened, but that will light up he left side of the face, I have examples of such shots in my project as well.
Good luck and let me know how it goes.
ponzu It occurred to me too late that the light should have been ON.