just a start

That alone has made a huge difference to this shot.

I have a fascination with snapping dockyard machinery also, so I think I might know what you saw here. Unfortunately Gerhard, the exposure, composition and quality of light let this photo down.

I think cranes have great aesthetic lines, all those cables, braces and trusses everywhere, and most of them are huge. Try to use these features to your advantage. If you can, get closer, or zoom in or crop tighter. Move around, and try to frame your shots so that the whole crane, or maybe even just elements of it are the main focus. You can try including crews working on the crane, or dockyard workers in the vicinity to provide a sense of scale. Search on the internet and this forum for landscape and architechtural photos, and see how other people place elements within their shots. The rule of thirds is a good starting point for a pleasing composition.

It looks like you took this late afternoon, but this particular sunset doesn't provide very flattering light. Wait for a partially overcast sunrise or sunset with clear skies on the horizon, you should get beautiful colours, particularly in the colder months. Also try changing the White Balance setting on your camera to 'Cloudy' or 'Overcast' when taking sunrise or sunset photos.

If the colour isn't very exciting, try your shots in Black and White instead, and just concentrate on the lines and structure of your subject. Dull light like this might be a good opportunity to shoot a silhouette. Spot expose for the sky, and you should be left with the outline detail of the cranes. A silhouette works well in Black and White, and works beautifully with a colourful sunrise or sunset. Learn everything you can do with your camera, and use some of the creative controls available. Keep trying with the cranes Gerhard, they can make for really great shots. I hope you have the opportunity to go back to this site and try again.

Good Luck.

Peter.