Photography ... it's all about light. After all the word photography is derived from Greek words that translate to "writing with light". The more we can understand about light - its qualities, its source, its direction and how we can use this information to our advantage in creating an image - the more empowered we will be as photographers.
The direction of light is something I work on a great deal in the spring when the first flowers bloom and I'm clamoring to get out to shoot them. After a long, colorless winter indoors, it matters little to me that the sun is shining brightly in a cloudless blue sky - not the ideal conditions for shooting flowers. Given my impatience, I've had to learn more about the direction of light and how it can be used to enhance an image - perhaps.
Front light is usually the least appealing because it will highlight blemishes, if there are any, and tends to create a rather flat, bright, textureless image often with unwanted shadows.
Side lighting tends to reveal texture and can seem more three dimensional than front-lighting for sure.
Back lighting can be a useful tool if a flower is translucent or if a silhouette is the effect being sought after. Caution, if you're shooting dangerously close to the sun nasty flare is a possibility and should usually be avoided.
As passionate as I am about photographing these spring beauties, I now try to shoot when there's a natural thin cloud cover over the sun, on a rather bright overcast day, or early in the morning before the sun has truly crested the surrounding cover. Consistent light and color, with as much of the texture and character of the flower is what I seek these days.
The snow drops and croci are blooming here ... get ready and please share some of your spring flower images on the Light, Lines & Color Community on Google+, ask to join and I'll add you to the group - it could be a lot of fun.