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Michael Corsentino – Hard Light vs Soft Light Smackdown
Hard light and soft light are all suited up and ready to rumble! They’re both strong contenders, but at the end of the day, I think you’ll agree they’re both winners. They’re at opposite ends of the spectrum, one edgy and dramatic and the other soft, willowy and open. This month, we’ll explore their differences and how they’re created, and jump into the studio for a few examples of what’s possible with each.As you’ll see, they’re both beautiful in their own right, each with unique qualities, distinct flavors and emotional impact. Let’s start by defining the qualities of each type of light.• Hard light creates a rapid transition between highlight and shadow. Its hallmarks are dark shadows with crisp edges.
• Soft light creates a gradual transition between highlight and shadow. Soft light’s signature look is very diffuse, with soft-edged, open shadows.So what’s the real difference between hard light and soft light in practical terms? Shadows—that’s the whole ballgame! The slower the transition from highlight to shadow, the softer the light. Conversely, the faster the transition from highlight to shadow, the harder the light. With hard light, the transition from highlight to shadow is crisp and well-defined, and casts deep, dark shadows. With soft light, the opposite is true, with the transition from highlight to shadow happening very gradually, creating shadows that remain light, soft and open.Log in to read more. |