hard light

English

Noun

hard light

1. (comics, science fiction) A solid, tangible hologram (projection of light), which can be used to construct structures such as walls or armor.
   • 2005, C. C. Ekeke, Star Brigade: First Renaissance, page 155:

     This included a good six orvs a day in the HLHG (Hard Light Hologram) Simulation Room. This room could create an unlimited number of battle scenarios by way of quality hard light holograms; it was a key staple in Brigade training.

   • 2008, Scholastic Avengers Encyclopedia, Marvel Comics Group, →ISBN:

     The Falcon formerly wore a pair of jet-powered glider wings that allowed him to fly at speeds up to 250 miles per hour. He now wears a pair of "hard light" wings that have increased his speed  […]

   • 2009, Victor Kelleher, Spaceman Bill, in Fiction Gateway: Enriching the curriculum:

     Abstract: Yeng is a Zontoan from planet Zing who volunteers to go on an intergalactic mission to a distant planet called Earth. Using a hard light drive, Yeng is able to project a solid hologram of himself, so that he appears as a stunningly handsome human […]

   • 2018, John Oddfellow / Caleb Rhodes, The Engine of a Million Plots, →ISBN, page 179:

     I leaned against the wall and slid down into the ninety-degree corner between two hard light walls. I wrapped my arms around my knees as Sid's voice echoed.

   • 2018, Kay Hawkins, The Stars Are Calling, page 222:

     "I think we should steal the orb and replace it with a hard light hologram so they won't even notice."

2. (photography) Focused light that produces crisp, sharply-defined shadows, with less transition between illumination and shadow than soft light.
   • 2017, Nick Fancher, Studio Anywhere 2: Hard Light: A Photographer's Guide to Shaping Hard Light, Rocky Nook, Inc., →ISBN:

     Maybe at first they thought that they wanted hard light, but after the shoot begins, they start asking for me to minimize shadows, and by the end of the shoot, I may end up firing a softbox through a scrim (FYI, that means extra, extra, extra soft light).

Alternative forms

• (hologram): hard-light