The Westcott Eyelighter 3 is a reflector designed to provide high-quality lighting effects. It features reversible silver/black and sunlight/white fabrics, allowing for versatile lighting options. The arc-shaped design matches the natural curvature of the human eye, resulting in seamless catchlights and an absence of unflattering shapes or gaps. The reflector's framework includes a secure quick-lock system with an easy push-and-release button for convenient setup and breakdown. Tension rods are used to ensure that the reflective fabric is pulled taut, maximizing the amount of light cast.
Included with the Eyelighter 3 are three fabric surfaces for reflecting studio or ambient light, as well as a black fabric for blocking light. The process of changing the fabrics is made simple by the reversible white/sunlight fabric that stacks on the silver base fabric using hook-and-loop tape.
The silver fabric is popular due to the distinct look it produces. It creates a specular light that fills in shadows under the chin and nose, while also producing a defined highlight in the eyes.
The white fabric, on the other hand, produces a soft, subtle fill that retains some shadows under the chin and nose. This helps add dimension to the subject's face, while creating a less dramatic and more natural-looking highlight in the eyes.
For those seeking a slightly different effect, the sunlight fabric creates a specular light with slightly warmer tones. The combination of gold and silver material provides a warm glow to skin tones, making it particularly suitable for subjects with brown and green eyes.
The Eyelighter 3 features a tiltable support spine that can be mounted to a standard light stand, providing a 74° tilting range for controlling the direction of the light. It can also be used outdoors with natural light. The Eyelighter 3 is a result of a collaboration between photographer Larry Peters and Westcott, aimed at creating the perfect solution for achieving high-contrast reflective lighting. Unlike flat reflectors that create unflattering catchlights, the Eyelighter 3 incorporates the same curvature as the human eye, resulting in a more natural and flattering lighting effect. Despite its durability and sturdy aluminum frame, the Eyelighter 3 weighs only 6.8 lb. When fully assembled, the curved reflector measures 54.5 x 24.8 x 21.2", and it collapses to 33" for easy storage in the included padded carry case.
