Soft light or strong light for model?

[Joan Breckwoldt]

Dear Michele, Cindy, Steven, and Julie,

Thank you all for taking the time to post such insightful and thoughtful answers, I really appreciate it. Thanks to you all I think I will be able to take much better photos as soon as I get the white balance figured out. With the Thanksgiving holidays starting tomorrow I'll have two almost willing subjects to take lots of photos of over the break. First, of course, I need to get out my manual and read up on white balance.

I am still very much interested in hearing more opinions on just how delineated/sharp the line should be where the shadow meets the light. I suppose it also depends on the mood I want to convey. And like so much, there is probably no magic answer.

thanks,

Joan