Overview: Photographers choose soft box light sources for the soft even light they throw and for the even highlights they create. The quality of light closely resembles that of the light transmitted through a window; the illumination comes from a (usually) evenly illuminated surface. Soft box lighting de-emphasizes lines and blemishes on the face of a human subject. Soft box lighting provide bright, even lighting, smooth broad highlight reflections in product photography, and gentle transitions from the illuminated areas to the areas of shadow. Reflections are of great importance when photographing shiny polished surfaces, reflective metal surfaces, and transparent materials like glass. .