Is it just slightly too dark?

I'm going back and re-editing old photos. I had made a HDR version of this, but it looks too HDR. It's a tough balance on sunrise photos, making it too bright removes the 'contrast of sunrise'. Kind of hard to explain.

There's no "too light"or "too dark" it's all about what you want to present to the viewer it's called low key or high key lighting.

I took the Anacortes ferry to Friday Harbor and arrived right as the sun was rising. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a more beautiful sunrise. Maybe it’s because it was my first vacation in 6 years and I needed a break, but I openly wept. The PNW never stops offering breathtaking sights.

I like the darkness. It is sunrise after all.

For a split second I thought this was Cities: Skylines, heavily modded. Very nice shot.

Yes, thanks. I have bad habits sometimes. I tell myself I won't make bad HDR, but then looking back after a couple years...I made bad HDR. So this is a much more natural, dark shot. :)