Instead of KISS (keep it simple, stupid), I'll use ATLS (about the light, stupid).
Just being silly to illustrate my point:
It's all about the light... When you have beautiful light, you are half way there, take advantage of it.
This is a sunrise (prior) at Santee Lakes, I believe it was the first morning of the IPT, we came here because the Pelican Cliffs at La Jolla were too wet from rain and could be dangerous.
D3, 200-400/4
Av at f/18 to get sharpness in the silhouettes
ISO 800
I did some light dodging in the background to exaggerate the steam coming from the water (fire in the mist)