# Best lighting for Whatnot and product photos > 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. 1. **[Two LED video panels with stands](https://sellersetups.com/product/led-panel-pair)** (£45 to £75): Two panels from the sides light cards and glossy packaging without glare, so they suit most desk shows. - Good for: Desk card and collectables shows; Glossy packaging and toploaders - Not for: Full-length clothing shots 2. **[18 in ring light with stand](https://sellersetups.com/product/ring-light)** (£35 to £60): 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. - Good for: Beauty sellers and talking to camera; Small matte items - Not for: Holo cards and anything glossy 3. **[Two softbox lights with stands](https://sellersetups.com/product/softbox-lighting-kit)** (£50 to £90): A softbox spreads soft light over a big area, so it suits clothing and full outfits. It needs floor space. - Good for: Clothing on a rail or a model; Rooms with floor space to spare - Not for: A small desk setup 4. **[Pocket LED video light](https://sellersetups.com/product/mini-led-light)** (£15 to £25): A small fill light for close-ups, and a cheap way to test lighting before you buy panels. - Good for: A first light under £25; Filling shadows on close-ups - Not for: Lighting a whole show on its own ## How we chose - Keeps glare off shiny cards and packaging - Adjustable colour and brightness for a daylight look - Fits the space you sell from - Works for both live shows and listing photos ## Two lights from the sides 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. ## Faces and talking to camera 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. ## Clothing and full outfits 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. ## Filling shadows on small items 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. ## Questions ### What lighting is best for Whatnot card shows? Two LED panels from the sides. They light the desk evenly and keep glare off holo cards and toploaders. ### Is a ring light good for trading cards? It shows up as a reflection on glossy cards and sleeves. Use it for faces, and panels for the desk. ### Can I use daylight instead? Daylight changes through the day and with clouds, so a show that starts bright can end dim. Lights give the same look every time. ### What colour temperature should I use? Pick a neutral daylight setting and match all your lights to it, so colours look consistent across the frame. ### Do I need lights for listing photos? A window gives good light on a bright day. With lights you can shoot at night and match photos across a whole listing batch. ### How many lights do I need? Start with one, often the small fill light. Add a pair of panels when you go live regularly.