C&C Requested for sad landscaper

[IronMaskDuval]

I'm still struggling with landscape photography, and I can't really pinpoint what it is that is really bothering me about my photos. Here are two that I PPed differently. Is it my subject....composition...pp? How can I make these better and have them become eye candy? Pointers would be much appreciated and valued!

 

[Virgil]

Pick more interesting subjects and pay more attention to metering.

 

[IronMaskDuval]

Pick more interesting subjects and pay more attention to metering.

The subject is something that I am aware of. Even if I see something really nice, I can't seem to figure our the angle that I should take it at. As far as the metering goes, I was trying to capture the movement of the water and couldn't figure out hot to do so without blowing out the sun. Is this a shot that calls for a neutral density filter?