What is the difference between soft light and hard light, and which is typically more flattering for portraits?

• A. Soft light comes from large sources producing gentle shadows; hard light from small sources produces sharp shadows; soft light is usually more flattering for portraits.
• B. Hard light is diffuse and shadows fade; Soft light produces crisp shadows; hard light is more flattering for portraits.
• C. Soft light means lower intensity; hard light means higher intensity; not necessarily flattering.
• D. Both provide same shadows; not.

Answer: (A)

Soft light and hard light differ by how diffused the illumination is. A large light source or one positioned to spread light over a broad area creates soft light, yielding gentle transitions and edges in the shadows. A small, direct source produces hard light with sharp, well-defined shadows and higher contrast. In portraits, soft light is typically more flattering because it wraps around facial features, smooths skin texture, and minimizes harsh shadows under the eyes and nose, giving a more even, pleasing look. The statement that best captures this says soft light comes from large sources producing gentle shadows, hard light from small sources producing sharp shadows, and that soft light is usually more flattering for portraits. The other options either invert the relationship between diffusion and shadow sharpness or confuse light quality with brightness, so they don’t describe the essential difference.