If you were shooting from a straight standard reflector, from the flash head, here is a way to cut the light intensity down.
Shoot bounced off an umbrulla, then thru the diffusion screen. Or use a shoot thru white umbrulla, and then thru the diffusion material.
If you want the shallowest depth of field- rememember to use the longest lens available, if it fits into your vision of the shot.
Then you have the differences to account for in perspective compression, and flattening of the subject.
Typically, when shooting a head and shoulders, with a 85mm lens, I prefer to get down to f34-5.6 range with strobes.
Then again, I love hotlights too.... and I can do a tight face down to 1.8, but then you need to worry about the tip of the nose being in focus.
Good luck, and have fun.
Chip
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