Soft Light is a lighting quality that is a direct result of a large light source relative to the subject. Due to the larger light source the light can wrap around objects, diffusing shadows giving them softer edges.
Clouds on an overcast day are illuminated by the sun behind them creating a huge light source relative to everything below. A 40 inch softbox over a flash bulb is larger than bare bulb creating a softer light or bouncing hard light sources off of reflectors or placing diffusion material in front of light source increase the size of the light and therefore soften it.
In this photo of Gary, he is being lit by 60inch softbox off to camera right.
The softbox was placed around 6 feet away from Gary. Though the distance decreases the light source’s size relative to Gary, it was still large enough that the shadows cast by and onto Gary have a soft feathered edge.
You can see on Gary’s cheek there is a gradient from highlight to shadow as the light falls off gradually as opposed to a clean-cut line.
The soft lighting is also reducing any flaws in Gary’s skin as it will fill in shadows created by any flaws due to the light subtly wrapping around Gary.
This photo of Katie was taken on an overcast day. This meant the cloudy sky was essentially a giant softbox creating very soft light.
The soft lights of the shadow are much softer than the previous photo of Gary and this is due to the fact the light source (in this case, the cloudy sky) is a much greater size relative to Katie.
The shadows cast by Katie have a very gradual gradient from light to shadow. The shadows cast on her neck can be seen as very soft with a feathered and diffused edge to them.
Personally, I find the lighting interesting thanks to directional lighting casting shadows however posing and styling lets the images down.
In this portrait of a Bride and Groom, they are being lit by an overcast sky.
This allows for a soft light which produces very little shadows. Though there are lighter and darker shades its difficult to pick out exact shadows due to how soft the edges of those shadows are along with the fact the shadows are being filled due to the wrap of light from such a big light source as an overcast sky.
Due to the natural top down lighting, we can see highlights leading to darker tones but in a much more gradual fade.
You can see the shadow cast underneath the bench, and though distinct, the edges are soft and feathery.
In this portrait of Katie, she is lit with a studio flash modified with a large softbox.
It’s placed high pointing down and to the camera right. The softbox produces a flattering light for Katie’s skin and the light wraps to fill in shadows that may be caused by flaws.
The shadow cast by her jaw on her cheek is soft and gradual without harsh lines which suits a beauty style image. The loop shadow under Katie’s nose is distinct and contrasty but doesn’t have the hard edge it would without the softbox leading to it feathering off.
