Light and shadows

When you look at these photos, it is obvious that the light of the top photo is softer than that of the bottom picture. Squint your eyes as you look at both pics and see how much of the colour in pic#2 is washed away by the light. This is the reason why you should not take pictures in the middle of the day in full sunlight.
Softer light will always give you more detail.
Each lighting situation will reveal different information for you to observe and work with. It is good to find the tonal values and mark them down first. 

                                                                                  Shadows are equally important and show off the light
                                                                                  when they are darker, but not dull. Use colour, not just

                                                        black, when creating those shadows.