Soft Lighting is your Friend & How to Get It

Hard light comes directly from one source, such as the sun, a flash light or a light bulb. Soft light is obtained when the light is scattered or diffused such as on a cloudy day or by using a diffusing object such as a white umbrella or curtain. Most photos look best with softer light because they are more flattering, detail-oriented and richer in color. To shoot in such conditions, a good rule of thumb is to keep your back to the light. Let the light shine on your subject (not on you) and you'll get crisp, clear photos. Shoot early or late in the day, when the light is softer. Cloudy days are your friend - the light actually intensifies the colors of flowers, trees, and the whole outdoors. Watch Leann Bello with About.com Gadgets explain the importance of Soft Lighting and how to obtain it in the following Video, "Videography and Photography Lighting - Hard and Soft Light".

The picture of the clown below is an example of Soft Lighting on an Overcast Day. Notice how the shadows in this picture are minimal as the light seems to wrap around the subject.