Yup, looks like a picture...

[Loominator77]

Hi all! I have been spying around this forum for about a month now and figure I would go ahead and join. I am very new to DSLR photography, as I have only ever owned point and shoots until this past month. I just got a EOS 40D and a EF 24-70 f/2.8L. Anyways here are two shots I took at sunset yesterday and would like to know what you think. I think I waited to late to take the shots as I am not too happy with the lighting. But, once I learn, I think some PP will help with that. I am mostly wondering what you think about the subjects. I realy think these are interesting photos, my fav being the bottom one. But, when I showed them to my hubby he said...Yup, looks like a picture. Uhhgg. Is he missing something (maybe sour about all the money I have spent recently :-)) or is he right and these pictures don't hold interest. All CC welcome!!!
Thanks

[Robert_Lay]

The range of tonality is better on the first shot, because the second shot has a rather bald, featureless sky.

Interest is higher in the first shot, but composition is better in the second shot. The lines and locations of objects of interest keep the eye looking around and there is good 3-dimensionality in #2 because there are clearly different planes as you go further away toward the background.

My only problem with #1 is that I think you could crop away the left 20% of the picture and improve its impact (also take off about 10% of the height along the bottom).

[Loominator77]

Thank you very much that is exactly the kind of input I am looking for!!

[VictorValencia]

I also like the first pic. The color of the tree looks off though.
I know it's fall but it appears to me that the white balance may
not be correct.

[smurffman]

I really like the first one. I think the colors of the trees add to the feel of the photo.
The second has a problem in the overexposed sky, but the subject is good. Maybe better from a different angle.