Recording an image on film or a digital sensor is analogous to painting with light, where the film or digital sensor is the canvas on which an image is painted with strokes of light.
Therefore, the most essential of the Basics of a Good Photograph is light. Just like human vision, photography is dependent on light. Without it, photography would not exist. No matter what camera or lens is used, without light they are useless.
Unlike studio photography, where artificial lighting can be strictly managed, in wildflower photography sunlight cannot be managed. Some photographers say better wildflower images are achieved on cloudy or overcast days under diffused sunlight. Some say the morning is best when there are long shadows and soft sunlight. However, do not be bound by these traditional views, for it really depends on the intent of the photograph. If the intent of the photograph is strictly for flower identification then shaded or diffused sunlight may be best. But where there is artistic intent, then highlights, texture and depth are needed for contrast, and perhaps, morning or even late afternoon sunlight may be best.
So, not surprisingly, it is the result of too much light (overexposure) or too little light (underexposure) that can be the culprit of an otherwise good photograph.
With a cell phone camera, or a camera without manual adjustments, underexposure can be the result of an image taken in bright sunlight with too much light behind the object creating a dark object that can be counterbalanced with flash fill; overexposure can be the result if there is too much light directly on the object.
With a camera that has manual adjustment capability, underexposure is often the result of a film speed setting (ISO or ASA) that is too low, a too fast shutter speed (higher numbered), or a too high aperture setting (f-stop). With overexposure, the opposite is true: it is a result of too high film speed setting, too slow shutter speed (lower numbered), or too low aperture setting.
So, obviously wildflower photography excursions should be planned. Time of day and the harshness or intensity of the sunlight is an important consideration. Overexposed images will result in a loss of contrast and washed out colors. However, special consideration should be given to yellow and white objects, for these colors are prone to overexposure, and photographing these colors in shade or diffused light should be highly considered. If lighting conditions are not optimum, come back on a day when the lighting is appropriate.
Getting the lighting right always will be a challenge. One can never really get the light just right every time, therefore, take many shots at different angles and at closer or further distances from the object, but refrain from using digital zoom. If the digital medium’s sensitivity to light (ISO or ASA), shutter speed, aperture, or exposure values can be set, take several shots of the same image utilizing a variety of settings.