I think your second shot has a lot going or it, maybe b/w could be tried? Ditto the first one, but then I always did prefer b/w to colour for these things...
As Pop says, there's a lot that can be tweaked, one way or the other.
The main thing is to keep shooting when the opportunities arise; that way, you get more things to work with and enjoy. Might be frustrating, but the rewards pay well personally when you do! That's the only reason I continue with cameras, come to think of it.
;-)
Rob C