hard light
Sharp shadow casting
Hard light is light that produces sharp, well-defined shadows with crisp edges—the opposite of soft light.
In photography and film, hard light comes from small or distant sources like direct sun or a bare bulb: The hard light from the window carved deep shadows across his face.
It emphasizes texture and contrast, useful for dramatic effect but unforgiving on skin imperfections.
Mirror-surfaced, image-returning
- contrastNotable difference between things
- shadowLight blocked by object
- harshUnpleasantly severe or rough
- directionalIndicating a path
spotlight · strobe · flash · beam · glare · intensity · edge · sharpness
Sudden bright burst
- haloLuminous ring overhead
- brillianceExceptional intelligence or luster
- reflectionReturned light or thought
- hotspotArea of notable activity
blowout · clipping · overexposure · lens · sunburst · starburst
Contrast technique in painting
- noirHard-boiled film genre
- dramaticStrikingly expressive or sudden
- moodPrevailing emotional condition
- tensionStretched or strained state
silhouette · rim · key · fill · practical · motivated · naturalistic · expressionist
specular
Mirror-surfaced, image-returning
- contrastNotable difference between things
- shadowLight blocked by object
- harshUnpleasantly severe or rough
directional · spotlight · strobe · flash · beam · glare · intensity · edge · sharpness · highlight
flare
Sudden bright burst
- haloLuminous ring overhead
- brillianceExceptional intelligence or luster
- reflectionReturned light or thought
hotspot · blowout · clipping · overexposure · lens · sunburst · starburst
chiaroscuro
Contrast technique in painting
tension · silhouette · rim · key · fill · practical · motivated · naturalistic · expressionist · low-key
hard lightsoft light
Gentle, diffused illumination
diffused light · soft lighting · diffuse light · diffuse lighting · scattered light
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