Quote - Emitters make softer shadows than actual lights. I'm not sure why this is, just that it is ;o).

 

Because the hardness of shadows depends on the light source's size, and anything except a light-emitting surface is (mathematically) a point, I guess.

In real life, if you want a soft light (and soft to no shadows), you use huge lights (with many bulbs, and/or huge diffuser screens in front of them).