Lighting and the "Magic hour"

To be honest, I am a very inexperienced photographer. Before this assignment I hadn't really thought about what type of lighting I like best. After some time I came to the conclusion that my favorite kina of lighting is called or considered to be side lighting. It is when the lighting comes from the side. This is best achieved right before and after sun set and sun rise. I have heard these times of the day also referred to as "magic hour". From what I understand, Direct or sharp sunlight can make a harsh shot. Researching, I’ve been told that side light is one of the best ways to overcome the camera's two dimensional limitations because the shadows create depth. At the same time, shooting at the "magic hour" will help capture rich color and flattering shadows.