Soft light is the most common choice for flattering portraits. It smooths the transition between light and shadow, is kind to skin texture and is forgiving of small posing and positioning errors. This article explains what makes light soft and how to get it with natural and artificial sources.
What does soft light look like?
In a soft light portrait, shadows have gradual, blurry edges rather than sharp lines. Highlights on the skin are gentle, and contrast across the face is lower. The nose shadow, for example, fades smoothly instead of ending in a crisp line. A soft image overall tends to feel calm and even.
What makes light soft
Softness depends mostly on the size of the light source relative to the subject, not its absolute size.
- Larger source, softer light. A big window or a large softbox is softer than a small one.
- Closer source, softer light. Moving the same light nearer makes it effectively larger from the subject’s point of view.
- Diffusion. Putting a translucent material between the light and the subject spreads the light over a larger area.
- Bounce. Pointing a light at a wall, ceiling or reflector turns that surface into the source.
The sun is a small source in the sky, which is why direct sunlight is hard. Clouds act as a diffuser and make the whole sky the source.
Natural sources of soft light
- Overcast sky: even and gentle, good for outdoor portraits at most times of day.
- Open shade: the subject is shaded but facing a bright open sky.
- Window light: soft when the window is large and not in direct sun.
- Golden hour: the sun is lower and warmer, and softer than at midday, though still directional. It can be softened further with a diffuser.
For an expanded look at working this way, see portrait photography without flash.
Artificial sources of soft light
Softboxes
A softbox is a box with a diffusion panel on the front. It produces directional light with controllable spill. Larger boxes give softer light, and a second inner diffusion layer makes the light a bit more even.
Umbrellas
Shoot-through umbrellas diffuse the light, and reflective ones bounce it. They are inexpensive and portable. The light spreads more than from a softbox, which can reduce contrast in a small room.
Octaboxes and parabolic modifiers
Octagonal boxes give round catchlights and a smooth falloff. Deep parabolic modifiers can be soft or crisper depending on the diffusion used.
Bounce flash
A flash aimed at a white ceiling or wall can approximate a large soft source in a normal room (see lighting for photography at home for budget options). Colored walls will tint the light, so a white surface is better.
What is a softbox for?
A softbox enlarges and diffuses the light so shadows are less harsh, and the box shape keeps the light more directional than an umbrella. It is often used as a key light in portrait setups. Our one-light portrait guide shows a few ways to position one.
Positioning soft light for flattering skin
- Place the light slightly above eye level, angled gently downward.
- Move it close to the subject, just outside the frame.
- Position it about 30 to 45 degrees from the camera axis for a natural shape that still has some modeling.
- Add a reflector on the shadow side to lift the shadows. See how to eliminate shadows in portrait photography.
Camera settings for soft light portraits
There is no single best setting, but these are reasonable starting points.
- Aperture: f/2 to f/4 for a single subject, and a little narrower for groups.
- ISO: as low as the light allows.
- Shutter speed: fast enough to avoid blur.
- Metering: check the face and keep highlights on the skin from clipping.
- File format: raw, to keep room for adjusting skin tones.
Soft does not mean flat
Very large, frontal soft light can make a face look flat because there are few shadows to show shape. To retain dimension, move the light slightly to the side. You can also use a darker background or a flag on the side opposite the light to keep some contrast. The portrait lighting patterns such as loop and Rembrandt work with soft light and give shape.
Editing for skin tones
Soft light needs less retouching, but a few habits help.
- Set white balance by a neutral reference, if you have one in the frame.
- Keep skin tones consistent across a series by adjusting them together.
- Avoid over-smoothing skin, which can look artificial. Preserving some texture is generally more natural.
When to choose harder light instead
Hard light is better for strong graphic or dramatic looks and for emphasizing texture. Soft light is a better fit when the aim is gentle, flattering and natural. Choose according to the mood you want, not a rule.
Quick checklist
- Is the source large relative to the subject?
- Is it close enough to be soft?
- Is there a catchlight in each eye?
- Are the shadows gentle and still holding a little detail?