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Differences Between Hard & Diffused Lights

Hard lights and diffused, or soft, lights are terms used in photography and cinematography to describe the source and effect of light on subjects. Hard and soft light have drastically different characteristics and uses in the field. Special equipment is used to achieve hard or soft light, or to change one into the other, primarily hard to soft. General rules apply for their use, but in photography and cinematography, there is no absolute rule.

Hard Light
- Hard light used in male profiles creates a clear, detailed image with hard lines.
  
  Illumination that is unobstructed, usually form a single source, like the sun and is called hard lighting. Hard shadows are cast and detail, except on very shiny objects, becomes more clear and focused. Hard light is used in cinematography and photography to create crisp images or to bring out textures in surfaces like leather and wood. Hard light can add drama to profile photos by creating intense contrast between the subject and background. It is often used in photographing men, but rarely for women.
Soft Light
- Soft light in female close-ups reduces relfection on skin and hides imperfections.
  
  When hard light has been diffused, like clouds covering the sun, it is called soft light. The result is a broad, uniformly lit area. Diffused lighting, or soft light, is commonly used in television lighting to hide the imperfections, such as blemishes and wrinkles, on TV subjects and in photography for glamor shoots. Soft light near the camera lens reduces the appearance of surface detail, the effect is called flat lighting. Female subjects are commonly shot with soft light.
Ultra Soft Light
- Lighting that is extremely diffused is called ultra-soft light. Though not used often, it is at times necessary to capture detail on objects with high shine. Chrome metal and crystal, for example, when filmed with standard soft lighting reduces the definition of darker images in the shot. The undesirable result is fixed by excessive diffusion of the light, which can be achieved by placing a tent completely covering the subject and placing lights strategically outside of it.
Equipment
- Hard light equipment includes: Focused spotlights, non-frosted and non-diffused incandescent light bulbs, focused LED bulbs, beam spot projector and ellipsoidal spotlight.
  
  Soft light equipment includes: Spun-glass diffusers, umbrella reflector, frosted incandescent bulbs, diffused LED lights and translucent diffuser.
  
  Ultra-soft light equipment includes: Cloth tent, translucent diffuser, spun glass diffuser, frosted incandescent bulbs, diffused LED lights.

Photography