Hard Vs Soft Lighting Photography

Hard Lighting: Hard lighting is used when the photographer wants to emphasize tone and physique of their subject. The photo of the fighter on the left is a very good example on how hard lighting can make their subjects tone pop out.

Soft Lighting: Soft lighting is used when the
photographer wants to smoothen out their subjects face and tone for a clean smooth look. The photo on the right is a good example of soft lighting by giving this woman's face soft shadows.