Abstract: A light apparatus is provided for illuminating a subject with "soft light", i.e., diffused light that does not cast a defined shadow. The apparatus includes lamp holder (16), a lamp (14), a reflector (12) for reflecting light from the lamp towards the subject, a diffuser or a baffle (23) located in front of the lamp for preventing light from the lamp from passing directly onto the subject. The reflector has a reflecting surface at least 500 mm in diameter and composed of a plurality of convex light-reflecting elements less than 20 mm in diameter. The light reflecting elements (28) constitute at least 90% (by area) of the reflecting surface.