If Soft Light is like shining a diffused spotlight on an image, the Hard Light blending mode is like shining a harsh spotlight on the image. Hard Light drastically lightens or darkens the base image depending on the brightness of the blend color. The effect is more intense than soft light because the contrast is also increased. Blend colors that are more than 50% brightness will lighten the base image in the same way as the screen blending mode. Colors that are less than 50% brightness will darken the base image in the same way as the multiply blending mode. Pure black will result in black; pure white will create a white result, and 50% gray will have no effect on the base image.
The Hard Light mode can be used for adding highlights and shadows to an image in the same way that you can do dodging and burning with the soft light mode, but the result is harsher and it will desaturate the base image. The Hard Light blending mode can also be used for effects such as a dreamy glow, or for adding a translucent watermark to an image.
