Run a Show with an iPhone & Ring Light

You do not need fancy gear to run a good Whatnot show. An iPhone and a ring light give you clear video and well-lit cars. Here is how to set it up.

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Cast's Garage

What you need

iPhone, any recent one. Newer phones do better in low light.
Ring light, 10 to 18 in, one where you can change the brightness and color.
Phone holder, the clamp on the ring light, or a small tripod or bendy arm.
A clean table and a plain background.
Charger, keep the phone plugged in the whole show.
Nice to have: a clip-on or Bluetooth mic, and a second phone to watch the chat.

Set up the ring light

Good light is the biggest thing that makes your cars look better on camera.

Put the phone inside or just above the ring so the light spreads evenly on what you hold up.
Put it about 1.5 to 2 feet from where you show cars, around chin to eye height.
Set the color to a plain white (about 4500 to 5000K) so the paint looks true.
Start around 60 to 70% brightness. Bright enough to see details, but not so bright it washes out the plastic.
Tilt the light down toward the table a little to cut glare off the cards.

💡 Cut the glare

Card plastic loves to catch shiny spots. Tilt the card a little, move the light off center, or hold the car just below the brightest part of the ring. A table that is not shiny helps a lot.

Set up the iPhone

Wipe the lens first. A quick wipe makes a big difference.
Set it up the tall way (portrait) for Whatnot, pointed at your show spot.
Turn on Do Not Disturb so calls and pop-ups do not break up the show.
Keep it plugged in and on good Wi-Fi. Sit near the router if you can.
In the Whatnot app, tap to lock the focus on your show spot so it does not keep refocusing.
Give the phone air. Long shows make it warm, so do not tuck it right under the hot ring light.

Frame your table

Keep one "show here" spot in the middle of the screen where every car goes.
Keep the background clean so buyers look at the car.
Keep your next cars close by so there are no long gaps.
Do a quick test video. Is the car sharp, well lit, and free of glare?

Before you go live

Phone charged and plugged in, lens wiped, Do Not Disturb on.
Ring light on, plain white, brightness set, glare checked.
Phone set the tall way and pointed at your show spot.
Focus locked on the show spot.
Cars sorted and close by. Title and tags set.
Go live, say hi, and hold the first car up in the light.

Handy tips

Watch the chat on a second phone so your show phone stays on the cars.
Warm rooms and long shows can slow a phone down. A small fan helps.
Hold each car still and close for a second so buyers can read the card and see any flaws.
Use the same lighting every show so people know your look.