You may think you’re cool and someone may have called you hot, but you won’t truly be either until you have an Ice Light in your hand. It’s like being the Han Solo of photography! The Ice Light is a 20-inch (52cm) wraparound light wand that you can use anywhere without the need for a light stand. Jerry Ghionis, an award-winning photographer and lecturer, designed the Ice Light and it’s available exclusively from Westcott Lighting Solutions. (Make sure you watch Jerry’s action and humorous video on the Westcott site, which you can access when you click here.)

The first time your photo buddies see you wielding the Ice Light you’re cool quotient will go through the roof. It’s one of the hottest, new must-haves for any photographer, having been selected byProfessional Photographeras a Hot One winner for 2013.

The Ice Light may wow you and them with its looks, but its functionality is what makes it a lighting tool you absolutely need. Tobin Smith, a photographer in Vancouver, BC, said it was the perfect solution for the many low-light conditions he faces during the often cloudy, raining climate of Vancouver. He also found the Ice Light to be just what he needed when shooting at dawn, dusk and twilight outdoors.

The Ice Light is easily handheld since it only weighs 1.3 pounds and you can use it AC or DC. The lithium ion batteries contained in the unit are the most-advanced technology and they will give you 90 minutes at full power. The Ice Light will fully charge during less than 2 hours, plugged into a standard electrical socket; and you can use it while it is charging.

The Ice Light casts a wide 72.6-degree beam angle through a frosted diffusion surface. You have the flexibility to dim the 1,160-lumen LED light to various outputs and it’s rated for 50,000+ hours. The light is daylight balanced, but you can easily add gels with the clips that are included in the kit to convert it to Tungsten or to cast any color you’re compositional vision requires.

Although you’ll want to hold the Ice Light most of the time (after all, you must keep your cool quotient high!), it also comes with 1/4-20 threads at both ends, so you can easily mount and dismount it from a light stand, tilter bracket or mini-tripod.

Tobin also said he loves to use the Ice Light when he is shooting indoors at a window and the wraparound design allows him to bounce the light off a wall. Of course, photographers’ assistants love the Ice Light because even if a photographer allows his or her assistant to hold it (which is unlikely), it’s very light and doesn’t require spending time assembling, disassembling and moving light stands. Everyone can go home early! Models and portrait subjects will also appreciate your use of the Ice Light, as its diffused light makes them look great and you can quickly turn it away, so hot lights aren’t always bathing those you are shooting.

The Ice Light from Wescott includes the battery charger/power cord, gel clips and a carrying case with a shoulder and belt strap. Plus, it fits in many cases and most regulation, carry-on luggage.

Another important point that Tobin makes in his video review of the Ice Light is that its $499 price tag delivers outstanding value. He says you won’t believe how beneficial it is to use one until you have it in your hands and on a shoot.

For more information and to order your Ice Light today,click here.