A lot of the work photographers do in modifying and controlling light for portraiture comes down to softening the light to render facial features in a more flattering way. But that does not mean that hard light does not have its place, and this quick and great video discusses three good reasons to try it out along with showing lots of examples.
Coming to you from Lindsay Adler Photography, this great video features her discussing some of her images that use hard light and why she chose to use it in those situations. For Adler, this comes down to three reasons: control, creative shadows, and the ability to create a vintage look. What is interesting about hard light is that because of the quick transitions between light and shadow, you get very defined edges, allowing you to get both very precise and very creative in your placement and shaping of the shadows. This can be a great way to create more experimental looks and to explore shaping light a bit more. Of course, hard light is not right for every situation, but it can be quite effective when used appropriately. Check out the video above for Adler's full thoughts.
Lindsay Adler produces the best videos, she simply introduces herself and gets right to the issue.