How can I tell if outdoor light is hard or soft?

A quick way to judge light is to look at shadows.

• Hard light creates dark, well-defined shadows with crisp edges.
• Soft light creates faint shadows with blurry edges.
• If you can barely see a shadow at all, the light is extremely soft.

An easy test is to look at your own shadow on the ground. You can also take a quick test shot and check areas like a person’s nose, jawline, or eye sockets. If they go very dark and lose detail, the light is likely quite hard. On textured subjects like tree bark, strong shadows that hide detail are another clue.

Whether light is “too harsh” or “too soft” depends on the look you want. There isn’t a universal right answer:

• Soft light often feels gentler or calmer.
• Hard light can feel more dramatic or edgy.

So the main factor is not just the light itself, but whether its shadow quality suits your subject and style. If the shadows on your subject look unpleasant for your intended shot, you may need to change angle, wait for different light, or use diffusion/reflectors.