Soft light is even lighting on all sides and does not produce sharp, edgy shadows. It can be compared to the lighting on an overcast day. Soft lights can be produced with umbrellas, softboxes, diffusion panels, etc.
With three point lighting, you have three different lights, the Key light, the Fill light, and the Back light.
The key light is the main light. It usually has the most influence on the scene and the other lights are the support and are placed according to the key light. It could be placed to one side of the object to create a well-lit side of the subject or deep shadows.
Just the key light
Then comes the fill light. The fill light is the secondary light and is placed opposite of the key light to “fill” in the shadows created by the key light. It is usually softer then the key light.
Key light and fill light
The back light is placed behind the subject so that it is lit from behind. It does not provide a direct light (like the key or fill light). Its purpose is to give definition and makes the subject appear three dimensional and to keep it from disappearing into the background.
Key light, fill light, and back light
The finished product has dimension, detail and shadowing contrast.
Creds to www.andrew-whitehurst.net for images.
