It’s winter and it’s cold out there. I suppose you don’t use a reflective window visor to protect your car from the Sun anymore, right? If it’s been lying around for a while, you can repurpose it and make yourself an eyelighter for about $40 (it’s usually $300). Michael A. Craven built his own and shared his idea with us. It’s practical, useful, affordable, and very easy to make. And you probably already have most of these stuff at home.
When I lived with mom, I would sometimes use a window visor from her car as a reflector. But I like this idea even more, and I suppose something similar could work as a standalone reflector, too.
You will need:
A reflective window visor1/8inch flat aluminum rodsSeveral small nuts and boltsSome duct tapeA flat sheet of metalA light standA speedlight holder
How to make it:
As a test, Michael took a selfie, and this is the result. There are quite nice catchlights, and it’s only a test shot. As he says, it needs some adjusting, but this is an idea of what it looks like. In addition to the eyelighter, there is a 22 inch beauty dish above on camera axis.
Michael made a lightcatcher of a size 36×18. There are different sizes of reflective sunshades, so feel free to experiment. Don’t forget to send us your impressions and results, we’re curious to see them. And sorry mom, I’m gonna need that visor again. Photo credits: Michael A. Craven
