How to create dramatic headshots and portraits with 3 lights using a Westcott flex kit

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Creating dramatic headshots and portraits is easier than you might think. In this video, I show my step by step process of building a 3 light portrait, one light at a time, using a Westcott Peter Hurley Flex Kit. I learned this 3 light setup from Peter Hurley (peterhurley.com/) so make sure you check out his work too. If you are using strobes and strip boxes, the process works the same way so check it out!
For this session, I used a Westcott Peter Hurley Flex Kit, which is a continuous lighting system that I use for my headshot and portrait work. This lighting is based on what I learned from the headshot master, Peter Hurley, so make sure you check out Peter and the Headshot Crew!
Special thanks to jazz trumpeter Wayne Tucker for modeling in this video, and to Alex Burns for the BTS video clips. Don't forget to like, comment, and share this video!
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[@jasonblake5576]

Great video Pete, well presented!

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@marcoemme1930]

Great job!

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Thank you, Marco! Cheers!

[@nickdermilio4326]

Nice job Pete! Very clear, concise and helpful.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Thanks Nick!

[@m0l0t0vv]

Great video!!

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Thanks!

[@richc.3100]

Great shots. I bet he was thrilled with the results. Thank you for sharing.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Hey Rich, yes he loved them! It was an awesome time. Thanks so much for watching.

[@TomKaszuba]

Superb tutorial very well presented. Thank you very much.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Thanks for watching!

[@02bimmer530i]

Excellent. Thanks for sharing.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Thanks, Don!

[@EliInfante]

Great video Pete! I loved the detailed explanation

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Glad you liked it!

[@danialficek9346]

Great video Pete!

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Thanks for watching, Danial!

[@marcgosselin945]

well done! great video

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Thanks for watching, Marc!

[@nathanturcotte2217]

Love the video thanks for the share!

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Thanks for watching, Nathan!

[@bobblakley3004]

Well done video Pete. I like the catch lights created by the strip lights. Just subscribed.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Thanks Bob! Appreciate the sub and kind words. More vids coming soon.

[@dab7963]

Nice photos.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Thanks, James.

[@dab7963]

@@PeteCocoPhoto you are very welcome I am amazed at the quality of your work those portraits were amazing. I can't wait to give that a try in my home studio.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

@@dab7963 Thanks man. You should follow Peter Hurley and check out the Headshot Crew. I learned this entire lighting technique from him. He's the man at this stuff!

[@dab7963]

@@PeteCocoPhoto will do that thanks

[@BillSands2112]

That was amazing results.. you got yourself a new subscriber too

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Awesome, thank you!

[@detroitcityheadshots]

Awesome video Pete. I just subscribed!

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Awesome, thanks Deb!!!

[@mauhimauhi2063]

very detailed video thanks. would love to see a video on how you color graded the photo at the end

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Thank you! I am planning to do a tutorial on that topic at some point soon.

[@killerxz93]

Amazing video very informative! What lens where you using for these shots?

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Thanks! I used a Canon EOS R5 and a Canon 70-200mm 2.8 EF lens. I have the old version without IS built in, and use it with the adaptor for the R5, and it works flawlessly.

[@lisaandbrent]

Thanks for the video. Did you use the same backdrop throughout, changing the look with your exposure? Or we you changing backgrounds? I'm seeing dark mottled gray as well as bright white in your final photos.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Hey Brent, great question! I used the exact same white seamless paper backdrop in each photo. To get the pure white, I just turn on my background flashes. To get grey, I shut off the background flashes and the white background appears grey. In this video I show you how I get the pure white background: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jnivapyQg5ecoMk

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

One thing I forgot to mention - in the image at 9:07, the background appears a greenish color with some texture. This is still the same setup but I color graded the image and added the texture in post.

[@lisaandbrent]

Thanks!

[@VailFucci-Photographer]

Dynamite video Pete! What did you use for editing this video? I love the overlays you used.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Thanks Vail! I edited in Premiere Pro and the overlays are from Storyblocks.com, which is pretty awesome.

[@dentaltv]

Just found this interesting video. What are your camera settings (ISO; APERTURE, SHUTTER SPEED) for this kind of light?

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

It varies depending on the subject's. skin tones and clothing but it's generally somewhere around ISO 200, f/4.5, 1/160 sec.

[@dentaltv]

@@PeteCocoPhoto Thanks for sharing this information

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

@@dentaltv my pleasure!

[@Dewabarasunderan]

Awesome video and article! Any tips how you would build that setup on a budget? I only bought a Godox 685ii Speedlite so far. Looking into Softboxes etc. for Headshots now. You're a big inspiration!

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Thank you so much! You can get the same effect using 1x2 or 1x3 strip boxes with flashes/strobes. You should definitely check out Peter Hurley's Headshot Crew too (www.headshotcrew.com) which is where I learned everything I know.

[@Dewabarasunderan]

@@PeteCocoPhoto my idea was to use a reflective umbrella softbox for the keylight and fill with either a Stripbox or reflector. Using a reflector, I might be able to get away with using two flashes. One for the hairlight/kicker and one as a keylight. I do believe, I can get better results with your setup, but it's just too expensive.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

@@Dewabarasunderan the only difficulty with using an umbrella is that the light will spread quite a bit more than wanted. If you do that you can also flag the light with a black piece of posterboard which might help get the effect. The key is to experiment and have fun!

[@Dewabarasunderan]

@@PeteCocoPhoto Hm. So even for the keylight you'd suggest a Striplight (with Grid?)? Thank you so much for your Input. I really appreciate it!;)

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

@@Dewabarasunderan You don't need a grid but yes definitely a strip light. The larger modifiers will spread the light too much and not allow you to get the affect as in the images in my vid.

[@adamviski]

Do you think the Godox FL100 flexible LED panel (40x60cm) can do the job? It's little bit wider than 1x2.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

I think so. It's all about angle and placement, but I would avoid any squares. Something around 1x2 or 1x3 is gonna do the job.

[@stewardgrowrealestateinves2580]

“Don’t smash it.” 😜

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

😎💪📸

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[@PeteCocoPhoto]

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