Before sunset, buildings begin to cast long shadows and the brightest surfaces stop looking quite so harsh. This is a useful time to practice seeing light without adding equipment.
Choose one subject and photograph it from three positions. Face the light, turn sideways to it, and finally place it behind the subject. The change in texture often matters more than the camera settings.
Keep vertical lines simple and leave a little space around the edges of the frame. If the scene feels crowded, wait. A person walking out of view can improve a composition more than a different lens.
When reviewing the photographs, keep only a small selection. Write down what made the light interesting so that the next outing starts with an observation rather than a shopping list.