How can I make these better?

[mnealtx]

I've been reading and re-reading "Understanding Exposure" and trying to use that info in my landscape shots (mostly sunrise/sunset stuff due to location and work).

I guess I'm trying to get that "pop" that I see in so many of y'all's photos and that I can't seem to find.

Here's a couple I took the other morning - I used the "Brother Sky" trick in spot metering / manual settings to set the exposure.

On the first one (mist and morning skies), I know that the building isn't in focus - I was focusing at the treeline on top of the hill. The second one (eye of ra), I ended up going to a shorter exposure than what was called for to bring out detail in the mist that the sun was shining through.

It looks like I'm going to have another opportunity for a few sunrise shots in a couple hours... anyone with ideas on what I can do better?

Note: I don't have a tripod handy - a bit hard to explain toting one into work!

[mnealtx]

Mods - any chance of moving this to critique corner?