Rocky beach sunset C&C

[Maydaywood]

Here are two photos I took the other day at Halibut Point, MA. It was crazy windy but the clouds were pretty nice! I am trying to get some practice using PS that I just got. What do you think? Critique is welcome!

 

[Virgil]

I really like the first one!!

 

[Maydaywood]

Thanks!

 

[Ink.]

The second one's composition is amazing. However there is something messy with focus area. I think that all plans should stay in focus in this case.
The first one is quite interesting, maybe less conventional but conception is good.

 

[Rick58]

Sorry but these just aren't working for me and I can't even tell you why or make any suggestions. sorry.

 

[HughGuessWho]

I think the lens flare in both images really hurt them. I don't care for the composition of the first image as there is no "subject", I don't know what to look at. The second image has a nice composition, but looks soft, maybe a shallow DOF. I would have tried a view with just a bit higher perspective.
Not bad though overall. Keep shootin'!

 

[Maydaywood]

Thanks for the input. Any suggestions on how to mitigate the amount of lens flare when shooting at the sun? My lens may have been a little dusty or maybe a little sea mist got on it. Any suggestions on composition of the first one if I went back? Maybe have a distinctive rock as a subject?