Hard light refers to a type of lighting that creates strong, well-defined shadows and highlights. It is produced by a small, intense light source, such as the sun on a clear day or a focused spotlight. This lighting style emphasizes texture and detail, making it useful in photography and film to create dramatic effects. In contrast to soft light, which diffuses shadows and creates a more gentle appearance, hard light can enhance the three-dimensionality of subjects. It is often used in portrait photography and cinematography to convey mood and intensity, highlighting features and creating striking visual contrasts.