Problem with sunset colors

I just can't seem to get the subtle tones of a sunset right - not the in-your-face oranges of staring at the sun, but the variations that you see in other directions and the quality of the light hitting things. Two examples (disregard the oversharpening, something went wrong when I resized or something but the originals don't have that):

Something looks wrong to me in the colors. Too much pink? Too much orange? Not enough vibrance? I don't know, I'm just not happy with them. Does anyone see what I'm talking about?

(screen is calibrated, so it's really the color processing)

armis, my response may not directly help you, but its food for thought....

This scene looks like its from Burma - I have lived in India for my 1st 32 years and the light there in the Indian Sub Continent is different from light in a lot of other parts of the world - including US and Europe - and the light at this time of the day looks very similar to how it appears in your photographs - so it looks pleasing to me.

Keep in mind that the quality of light is subtly different there compared to many other places so it may not process completely to look like images made elsewhere. That said. I am sure someone here can help to point you in the right direction. (BTW - did you try tweaking curves under different colors/warmer tones?)

I suggest that you post the raw file so as some of us will play with it to see what can be done.

Indeed, that was Myanmar .

Here's the RAW file for the first one then: https://www.hightail.c​om …ad/elNMS3dqMGNo​eVpMWE5Vag

For reference, I'll also attach the OOC jpeg below.

Did you work off the raw file? It looks like you "just" balanced the exposure in the jpeg.

To an extent this softer tone is kind of where I'd like to arrive but I can't figure out what the camera does to is jpegs. The raw file is extremely contrasty; that works for me sometimes but not so much for landscapes. I just feel like my final edit loses the subtle colors due to the highlights going too high...

I used Lightroom 5.3 on the RAW file.

It appears to me that your RAW software or your understanding of its capabilities are limiting your output.
In Lightroom there are countless directions to take these images, you could make them as stunning or subtle as you desire.
From your original post I got the idea that reducing the contrast would be a good first step. Then increased saturation looks more natural.

I think my issue isn't so much that I don't understand the software but rather that I never really know where I'm going when I start off with a picture. It's only when I finish an edit that I start to realize that the picture looks off, and at that point I don't really know what went wrong... Like I get that picture in my OP, figure "oh, that's too much contrast" and pull it down, but since I've been at it for so long the new edit instantly looks flat; I can't seem to step back from my edits, 'reset' my inner eye, and it's like 'too conatrasty' becomes the new normal - except I know something's off. I don't know if that makes sense.

Can I ask what settings you used in your edit? Did you just pull back contrast and increase saturation?

Hi,

Thought I'd have a play with your RAW file too:

I know exactly what you mean.

Starting with the 2012 Adobe Standard calibrated image I increased the overall exposure +20, saturation +10 and reduced contrast -20. I also tweaked the shadows, whites and blacks. Then I added a graduated filter at the horizon lightening the foreground, then I used the HSL targeted adjustment darkening and saturating the orange and reds of the sky.

Regarding the lack of direction, I would suggest finding a photographer or distinct style of photography that impresses or inspires you. Taking their style as a general heading may give your own new shape and impetus.

You can do lots with it.
Each variation may or may not be to your liking.
I just faffed for 5 minutes and came up with this...

My take on it lighten the shadows, remove green tint, added some Vibrance / Saturation.

IMAGE LINK: http://s951.photobucke​t.com …SCF4707copiecop​y.jpg.html