Two side lights keep the glare off shiny items.
Typical price
$40 to $80
Why we pick it
- Typical price
- $40 to $80
- Works with
Holo cards, foil boxes and glossy packaging bounce a ring light straight back into the camera. With two panels angled in from each side, the glare lands outside the frame.
Good for
- Desk card and collectibles shows
- Glossy packaging and toploaders
Not for
- Full-length clothing shots
Our approved alternative for the same job: 18-inch ring light with stand
The guide
Each step in the order you'll need it.
Holo cards, foil and chrome on camera
You sell shiny items on camera: holo cards, foil boxes, glossy beauty packaging, patent sneakers. A ring light in front reflects straight into the lens. Panels at the sides send it past the frame.
As a first lighting kit it works on any platform, from Whatnot card breaks to Poshmark photos at the desk. If you later buy app-controlled panels, keep this pair as fill.
Color temperature, CRI and stands
You want adjustable brightness and color temperature, usually about 3200 to 5600 K, to match daylight. A CRI of 95 or higher keeps reds and skin tones true on camera.
Buy stands that extend above head height and panels that run from a wall outlet. Some budget sets need batteries bought separately, so read what comes in the box.
Angling both panels at 45 degrees
Stand one panel each side of the item at about 45 degrees, a little above it, angled down. Tilt a holo card on camera and adjust until the hot spot slides off the edge of the frame.
Set both panels to the same color temperature and lock your camera white balance to it. If your face looks flat, turn the panel on your face side a notch brighter.
Ring light, softboxes or app-controlled panels
The 18-inch ring light with stand works for faces and matte items but glares on foil. Two softbox lights with stands give softer, wider light for clothing and full-length shots, at the cost of floor space.
An app-controlled desk panel costs more and sits on the desk. A small pocket LED is the cheapest fill if you only want one light.
Running costs and care
The pair costs $40 to $80, and you use it for every weekly show for years. LED panels draw little power and run cooler than halogen work lights.
Fold the stands and bag the panels between shows. Check the stand locks each time; a falling panel can scratch a slab or crack a display case.
Common mistakes
Each one costs you money or reviews, and each has a fix.
- Both panels straight in front of the item bring the glare back. Move them to the sides.
- Set both to the same color temperature; a warm panel beside a cool one tints the shot two ways.
- Batteries often are not in the box. Read the listing and plan for wall power.
- Tighten every lock and test each joint before you leave a stand raised.
- Angle one panel to catch your face as well as the item, or your face stays dark.
Ranked in
Where it places in our rankings, and the reason.
Setups that use it
Complete kits this product is part of.
Guides that use it
Step-by-step help where this product does a job.
Questions
Straight answers to what sellers ask about this.
Are two panels better than a ring light for cards?
For holo and foil, yes. Side light keeps the reflection out of the lens.
Do I need daylight-balanced panels?
Bi-color panels that run from warm to cool let you match daylight or your room light. Pick those over fixed-color ones.
Can they run on batteries?
Some take camera-style batteries as an option. Check the listing for whether a wall adapter is included.
Will they work for clothing photos?
Flat lays and small items light well. A full outfit on a rack lights more evenly with softboxes.
Alternatives
Other picks for the same job, cheaper and pricier.
Pocket LED video light
Clips to a phone mount or sits on the desk to lift the shadow side of a card or a ring. It costs little as a first light and stays useful as fill once you add panels.
Typical price$15 to $30
See on Amazon18-inch ring light with stand
Daylight in a spare room shifts through the day. Set the ring light once and your items look the same in the evening show as in your photos.
Typical price$45 to $75
See on AmazonTwo softbox lights with stands
Softboxes spread light over a big area, so a whole outfit or a rack of inventory gets even light with soft shadows. They take more floor space than panels and suit a spare room better than a desk.
Typical price$50 to $90
See on Amazon
Elgato Key Light Air MK.2
A mid-size desk panel with app control, sized to sit on either side of a rip camera without crowding a narrow desk. Two of them light a card mat from both sides at about 45 degrees, which keeps a bright reflection off holo foil. Pick the full-size panel instead if it's your only light and you also want your face lit across a wide table.
Typical price$130 to $160
See on Amazon