Lighting
Hard Light vs Soft Light: When to Use Each
Every light source produces either hard or soft light. This distinction, defined by the character of the shadows it creates, is the single most important concept in photographic lighting. Once you understand what controls it, you can shape light intentionally rather than accepting whatever the equipment happens to produce. Defining the Terms Hard light creates shadows with sharp, clearly defined edges. The transition from light to shadow is abrupt. Texture is emphasized because every surface variation casts its own small, crisp shadow.