Make your own eyelighter on a budget by using a reflective window visor

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 visor
• 1/8inch flat aluminum rods
• Several small nuts and bolts
• Some duct tape
• A flat sheet of metal
• A light stand
• A speedlight holder

How to make it:

1. Measure the visor and take the aluminum rods that will match the size. Bend them until you get the form you want. Michael used a trash can to fold the rods so they get a nice curve. After you’ve bent the rods, use small nuts and bolts to attach them and bolt them all together.
2. Tape the visor to the rods using duct tape. I suppose any strong adhesive tape would do the trick, and I think it’s a good idea that the tape is reflective, too (as in the photos).
3. Take the speedlight holder that fits on a light stand. Take the top screws and another piece of meal that hold the flash off. Mount it to the flat sheet of metal.
4. Attach the sheet of metal to the previously prepared visor with the aluminum rods. You can do it using screws and bolts or duct tape. This is how it looks from below:

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.

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Photo credits: Michael A. Craven