The Application of Soft Light in Photography

Different from hard light, soft light is characterized by soft light, shallow shadow and loose projection. Soft light is everywhere in the natural environment. Whether the thin clouds cover the sun or the light at dawn or dusk is soft light. Use some special lamps indoors (such as milky white bulbs, frosted bulbs, etc.) ), or install some accessories in front of the lamp (such as installing a diffuser in front of the flash lamp or installing a soft light cover and umbrella in front of the incandescent lamp, etc.). ) You can also create a soft light effect.

Relatively speaking, it is more difficult for beginners to deal with soft light than hard light. But "since God has given talents, let them be employed!" If he can use soft light reasonably in photography, he will often achieve a breakthrough.

First of all, soft light can obtain extremely realistic images. Because of its soft light quality, the projection on the subject will not cause a stiff shadow surface, and the contrast between the bright part and the dark part is moderate, and the image is close to the normal state, which is very real. At the same time, the layered texture of the main surface will be particularly rich and delicate.

Secondly, soft light is easy to create a light and ethereal artistic conception. When taking landscape photos, soft light will not enhance the original contrast of the landscape. Therefore, if the subject is a misty mountain scene or a watery lake, if it is deliberately underexposed when shooting, then the scenery will appear very light and quiet in the picture, creating a soft and illusory atmosphere. For this reason, the famous photographer Mr. Lang Jingshan always prefers to shoot in soft light when creating scenery photos with the charm of Chinese painting, so as to make his works more poetic and empty inspiration.

In addition, soft light can effectively dilute the original wrinkles and bad shadows on the face of the characters, beautify the image of the characters, especially when the subject is a girl or a child, which can make it look delicate and feminine.