Improving your Portraits using the Westcott Eyelighter

Top Pro Elite Photographer Dave Cross has been photographing and educating photographers for over 25 years.  In this video, Dave covers how to improve portrait photography with the simple addition of the Westcott Eyelighter.  The Eyelighter is a curved reflector that sits on a stand in front of your model.  This self supporting reflector allows the model to have full range of using their arms and hands if you want those included in the photo.

In this video, Dave will show examples of using the Eyelighter, using no reflector at all, and why using a standard reflector for this application may be difficult.  The difference is stunning!  The recommended distance for the Eyelighter is 30″ from the subject, and the light should be 30″ above the Eyelighter.  With these distances in mind, you will achieve the best results from the Eyelighter.

The Eyelighter frame is constructed with a strong aluminum allowing for lightweight durability. In true Westcott fashion, only the finest reflective fabric is incorporated in this reflector. Tension rods are utilized to pull this material taut, maximizing the light casted. Assembly and tear down are simple, allowing for quick on-location shooting.

No Eyelighter

With The Eyelighter

The History of the Eyelighter

Larry Peters and Westcott have teamed together to create and produce the perfect solution for high contrast reflective lighting. While flat reflectors create unflattering catchlights in the eyes on close-up portraits, the Eyelighter has perfected the light by shaping a reflector in the same curvature as the human eye. Specifically designed for beauty and portrait photography, The Eyelighter reflects an arched light toward your subject, leaving a catchlight that follows the natural curve of the iris. Unlike triflectors, this catchlight is seamless, without unflattering gaps. This innovative tool not only provides pristine catchlights, but also reflects a stunning, clamshell lighting.

Westcott Lighting Gear in Action