Some nifty-fifty sunsets

I can't unwrap my new 17-40mm L until Christmas , so I decided to do some nifty-fifty landscapes.

A few notes: I don't have GND filters or a tripod, so I couldn't really get the trees properly exposed. I tried to do an HDR, but every program I used went crazy and blew absolutely everything out (it was really weird).

Also, I've never done a landscape before, so composition-wise I was kinda going by the seat of my pants. If there is something glaringly wrong with it, please tell me... that way I can get better.

Click for full sized pics:
1:

IMAGE LINK: http://static.flickr.c​om …18212545_e1e1b6​7076_o.jpg

IMAGE LINK: http://static.flickr.c​om …18212514_4e16c3​b8fc_o.jpg

IMAGE LINK: http://static.flickr.c​om …18219445_3703c4​4701_o.jpg

Nicely done! And you don't need an ND. The trees are just right. #2 does it for me.

agree, you don't need an ND, sillouettes work just fine

#2 works for me. No need for a GND here.

The silhouettes are great as are the colors but, for me, I would have liked to haved seen a bit more FG to balance the shots better. The second comes closer than the other two IMO. The third lacks FG and the structure is centered so that would be my least favorite.
For these shots, you didn't need GND's or a tripod but you need GND's and a tripod.

Thanks for the comments guys!

HrcRacing, thanks for the instructions on composition. I need to start saving for some GNDs, or a tripod at the least.