hard shadows
Sharp-edged dark shapes
Hard shadows are shadows with sharp, clearly defined edges rather than gradual transitions into light.
In photography, film, and visual arts, hard shadows result from small or distant light sources—direct sunlight creates hard shadows, while overcast skies produce soft ones.
The term contrasts with soft shadows, which have diffused, feathered edges.
The harsh noon sun cast hard shadows across his face.
- harshUnpleasantly severe or rough
- harsh lightIntense, unflattering illumination
- contrastNotable difference between things
- crispFirm and breakable
- edgesOuter limits or boundaries
sharp edges · sunlight · direct sunlight · high noon · noon · stark · defined · clear cut · silhouette · cast · dark · sharp · outline · dramatic · chiaroscuro · spotlight · single source · angular
- renderingray tracing, shaders, shader, reflections, lighting
- Natural Lightingnatural light, sunlight, golden hour, blue hour, diffused light
hard shadowssoft light
Gentle, diffused illumination
diffused light · diffuse lighting · ambient light · scattered light · fill light
hard, harder, hardest, harden, hardened, hardening, hardener, hardness, hardly