The master of the headshot, Peter Hurley, has collaborated with Westcott to create a complete lighting solution for headshot photographers. Meant to be easy to set up, portable, and flexible, the kit looks to be a great option for anyone looking for an all-inclusive option for fashion, beauty, and commercial photography.
Peter Hurley is one of our favorite photographers here at Fstoppers. We've collaborated with him on two comprehensive tutorials, "The Art Behind The Headshot" and "Illuminating The Face." Now, in partnership with Westcott, he has released the Flex LED Lighting Kit, based around Westcott's Flex LED mats. Designed to create the high-key headshots that Hurley is well-known for, the kit includes four Flex LED mats, four modular Scrim Jim Cine frames, all necessary cables and mounts, diffusers, and a wheeled travel case. The kit is even water-resistant.
The lights are daylight-balanced at 5600K with a CRI (color rendering index) of 95, making them especially apt at reproducing colors accurately. They are also fully dimmable and have a total output of 20,000 lux at one meter, enabling high-key portraits and most everything in-between. The lights mount via hook and loop tape, which should make set up and teardown a breeze as well. For those looking for a complete headshot solution, this looks to be a top-notch option.
Signed lights are available for pre-order through HURLEYPRO, with shipping expected in November.
Images used with permission of Peter Hurley
Cost way to much for this kid. Not saying it's not worth it but I would never get my money back using them. I wonder how many sets Westcott will sell... The low sales will keep the price high for the foreseeable future. Just an opinion..
"Available now at the low, low price of ONLY $5500!"
Yeah, no.
Even the classic Pete's Dragon knew better:
https://youtu.be/NABaqGg1qxw
Wonder how they compare to Kino Flo Celeb 401. Because like Chuck and Jon point out it isn't really "low price" compared to strobes. But compared to other well-established continuous light manufacturer such as Kino, it is quite cheap! A Kino Celeb 401 is about $5000 a piece… so we're looking at $20'000 for a similar kit!
To be honest - with Westcott seeming to take the lead on this type of LED setup and setting an initial price point I'd be curious to see how companies like Kino will continue to market their existing line or change it.
Kino LEDs are a ripoff.
Kino Divas are terrible. (The dimmer is useless and good luck matching tungsten color temp - doesn't even match their own 4' 3200°K bulbs)
However, Kino Tegra 4Banks are fantastic!
My biggest concern with the price point of the Westcott flex panels: build quality and durability.
In my experience, when I hear "Westcott" it doesn't make me think "buy once, use for decades"... unlike Arri, Mole Richardson, Matthews, Sachtler, and even Kino Flo. On top of my admittedly knee-jerk reaction to brand experience, these lights are mounted/stitched/whatevered to some flexible material that probably can't be replaced once it wears out, which will definitely NOT be after a decade of moderate use.
Look, they seem like they'd have some cool, unique applications (auto int. scenes!), but at that price point, I'd rather get a sturdy led panel with a gold mount and simple yoke mount.
I've used the Diva as well as the 4' banks, they are superb like you say. I'm wondering about the Celeb 401 as they are led and thus are more comparable to the ones Peter has "created". Because 1 costing the price of 4, they better be awesome, otherwise they might have a problem now…
Since Lee mentioned the TLCI... here's a big list of light comparisons that's a little more accurate than CRI (see the Qa value):
http://www.gtc.org.uk/tlci-results/tlci-results-new-format.aspx
I wish there were a few more inexpensive models on that list... like Dracast, Flolight, Aputure, etc...
For me, These Flex Lights have been life changing (I have 6 10x10's) and I'm sure I'm near the top of the list for this kit, too. First, I flew 47 flights so far in 2015 and a dozen or more to come this year. My travel gear has been cut in half and saving me $150 in airline bag fees per trip. Plus, I don't need a minivan to rent and can get a regular SUV...another $100 per trip. That's all fine and a nice perk. But the real joy comes now that I save TIME. It saves me so much time over the Kino process. No more heavy light stands, you can tuck these in anywhere, can power them with battery for 30 minutes, easier to pull into hotel room, easier to pack up, dimmable...the list goes on. As far as price goes, it's all relative to how much you charge in your business. I produce tv commercials, and would imagine shooting stills with this price, may be a tough jump to make. Still, I think $5,500 is a fair price. Sure, less would be better. I'm just happy it's available for me to buy. I'll be selling my 4ft and 2ft Kino kit, btw.
I saw the prototypes of these at Peter's workshop in the Bahamas.
I know they are not exactly cheap but to be honest if you are taking clients day-in day-out for headshots and do even modest traveling these are a complete no-brainer and a bargain. I don't even think you can travel with the KinoFlos - in that regard these things have a major advantage.
I do believe that if you're running a business these things would pay for themselves.
I traveled with 4ft banks and 2ft Kino banks...hundreds of times.
I'm not doubting that but as you mentioned, traveling with Westcott's setup is far more trivial.
Like peter said you can travel with kino's but they aren't going to be lightweight, (pun intended) but am interested to see how these do. I still dont see kino changing its marketing approach, It's known as top of the line gear in the film world and I see them still focusing on that type of market.
And I'll just stick with my small Lowel caselite. May not be as large as a 4 foot kino flow but its nice and easy to solo travel with the 4 bank case lite.
That's some pretty serious squinch!
I don't know... Kino Flow shots look kind of different better and not so harsh?
Here save yourself $5400 and get your hands greasy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLia59KfkSw
:::Waits patiently for Cowboy Studio on Amazon to come out with their own knock-off version that sells for $100 instead::: ;)
Just placed an order for two sets of these, so that Peter can finally afford a decent shave, a haircut, and a set of clothes not picked-up from the bin at salvation army :-)
Using this kit how would you deal with individuals that wear glasses?
Simple, you just buy Peter Hurley's Light-Blocking Glasses, available in conjunction with Specsavers Opticians.
Must admit I really don't fancy the catchlight those boxes are making.
I feel like I'm the only person who finds this man, and by extention everything he does, utterly loathsome.
Now you can copy Peter Hurley's boring, bland, unoriginal headshots for the low price of 5 g's. Sold!
Some points to make. Sure they're $5k but if you shoot headshots like this, the medium format the photographer shoots with is $5k-$20k, These usually would be set up in a studio which costs too. And of course the photographer will be charging for use of those lights etc. Hurley is at the top of hid game making $1200 an hour, but even for us mere mortals you've got the whole light set up paid for within a handful of shoots if this is your kind of photography.
**before I get hate mail. My led's are amazon Chinese specials, but I don't need his kind of lighting for my work.
Is Peter Hurley's Lightning Kit by Westcott are Discontinued? any links...
Yea they came out with a new set, these old kits are not available anymore.