One way to get depth in your images is to have a strong foreground, a strong middle ground and a good background. Having three distinct "grounds" help the viewer to move from one to the next thereby leading them into the image. Here is an image that demonstrate each "ground."

Let's talk about composition for a minute. We have a strong rock foreground. There are other rocks that make the middle ground. The sun and clouds make up the background. Pointing the camera right at the sun can create some challenges (never look into the sun without wearing suitable protective gear). Firstly, it is very bright which makes exposure values an issue. Either the sun blows out (no detail just white), or the dark rocks turn solid black (no detail), or both. This is why I changed from Canon to Sony. This image consists of just one exposure. I used no bracketing, no HDR, no dual processing of the same file. The dynamic range of the Sony sensors are just wonderful (Nikons are also that good, even a hair better).

          Secondly, when shooting into the sun, dark solid objects will turn very dark. In post processing they need to be brightened just enough to reveal detail. In post processing I also pay attention to the water. Certain sections of water are a bit brighter than other sections. I make the lighter sections even lighter as long as they lead into the image. There is also a faint light streak caused by the sun which I brighten a bit because it too draws you to the background.

          Lastly, when shooting into the sun I love to get sunstars. They just add to the image. You get sunstars by waiting for the sun to pass behind a hard edge (in this case the horizon) and by using a small f-stop.

          Having the sun shine on the foreground brings attention to it which helps to grab the viewer's attention right from the start.