Lights ranked for Whatnot shows and listing photos taken at a desk or in a spare room, with the reason for each pick.
Cards look flat and clothes look grey on a dim desk, whatever camera you use, and buyers ask about colour when a lamp would have shown them.
These four lights cover desk shows, faces, clothing and close-ups. Prices run from about £15 to £25 for a small fill light up to £50 to £90 for a softbox kit, so you can start cheap and add one at a time.
The criteria that set the order. Commission plays no part.
Two panels from the sides light cards and glossy packaging without glare, so they suit most desk shows.
Typical price
£45to £75
A ring light gives even front light for faces and small items, which suits beauty sellers and anyone talking to camera. It reflects off holo cards.
Typical price
£35to £60
A softbox spreads soft light over a big area, so it suits clothing and full outfits. It needs floor space.
Typical price
£50to £90
A small fill light for close-ups, and a cheap way to test lighting before you buy panels.
Typical price
£15to £25
Each step in the order you'll need it.
Glare comes from a light straight in front of a shiny surface. Put one panel at each side of the desk, angled in, and holo cards and sealed boxes show colour instead of a white streak.
Set both panels to the same colour temperature. Mixed colours give one side a yellow cast that buyers read as damage.
Kit for this step
A ring light around the phone lights your face evenly. It helps if you sell beauty or talk to camera for much of the show.
Keep shiny items out of its direct line. The ring shows up as a circle on toploaders and phone screens.
Kit for this step
Clothing on a rail, or on a person, needs soft light over a big area. A softbox spreads it wide, so buyers see creases and colours as they are.
Softboxes need floor space and a few minutes to set up. If you shoot clothing once a week, leave them assembled in a corner.
Kit for this step
A small rechargeable LED fills the shadow your hand casts over a card or ring. It also makes a cheap first light to test whether lighting helps your shows.
Bounce it off a white card for softer light on reflective items.
Kit for this step
Two LED panels from the sides. They light the desk evenly and keep glare off holo cards and toploaders.
It shows up as a reflection on glossy cards and sleeves. Use it for faces, and panels for the desk.
Daylight changes through the day and with clouds, so a show that starts bright can end dim. Lights give the same look every time.
Pick a neutral daylight setting and match all your lights to it, so colours look consistent across the frame.
A window gives good light on a bright day. With lights you can shoot at night and match photos across a whole listing batch.
Start with one, often the small fill light. Add a pair of panels when you go live regularly.
