For an hour after sunrise and an hour before sunset is what is called 'The Golden Hour'. The sun is low so you get better side illumination, and the light is a wonderful gold hue which makes even the bleakest subject look gorgeous.

Here we have an ordinary kerosene lamp, one that has been in front of my lens before, sitting in the early morning sunlight. Textures like cobwebs, seeds, corrosion and California dust stand out in this light.