Linking parton distributions to form factors and Compton scattering

We relate ordinary and skewed parton distributions to soft overlap contribu tions to elastic form factors and large angle Compton scattering, using lig ht-cone wave functions in a Fock state expansion of the nucleon. With a sim ple ansatz for the wave functions of the three lowest Fock states we achiev e a good description of unpolarised and polarised parton distributions at l arge x, and of the data for the Dirac form factor and for Compton scatterin g, both of which can be saturated with soft contributions only. Large angle Compton scattering appears as a good case to investigate the relative impo rtance of soft and hard contributions in exclusive processes which are sens itive to the end point regions of the nucleon wave function.