terminology - How to identify whether the available light is too harsh or too soft?

When I go out in a park what factors should I consider to determine whether the present light is too harsh or too soft?

Answer

Look at your own shadow. If you can't find your shadow then the light is as soft as it possibly can be. If you have a hard edged shadow then the light is hard. If you can make out your shadow but it's faint or the edges are not defined then you have somewhere in between (which can often give the best results).