River Loire

I wouldn't take Gursky as a general example of how to improve your landscape photography Chris! It's a different sort of photography entirely IMHO.

And as I said before, your shots here are reportage really, you are recording an unusual environmental event. In my view what is needed is another element like a beached boat, a bewildered and frustrated fisherman unable to reach the water, or something else to help convey the extreme dryness of the river.

I hadn't really thought about the reportage angle - you're right.
Funnily enough, I crossed the river this morning and noticed that there is considerably more water today, so I'll go back to the same spot and see how it looks.

The source of the Loire is down in the mountains west of Lyon and as they have had exceptional rain and flooding down there, it was bound to eventually end up increasing the water level in the river.
However, it's still very low for this time of year.

I now understand the difference between a shot showing an event and one that makes an interesting photograph (if you know what I mean).

Cloning out unwanted clutter does make a difference, just as cropping correctly can.

I really do appreciate the comments, for which many thanks. There's so much more to producing a good shot than seeing something that looks nice or interesting to the eye and actually what comes out in a photograph.