Yosemite: Which Version?

Hikin' Mike

This is from my day trip to Tuolumne Meadows. While I was waiting for sunset I took these two pictures. There's no crop here.

On the first shot I used two different exposures (1/6 & 1/15) and blended them together.

5D, 70-200 f/4L, ISO 100, 1/6 & 1/15, f/11

After sitting there for a few minutes I decided to re-compose the scene, but lowered the view. I took one shot, but processed it twice.

5D, 70-200 f/4L, ISO 100, 1/15, f/11

My question for you is, which one do you prefer and why? :scratch

thapamd

I like the 2nd version not so much for the composition but more for the slightly increased contrast.

NorthernFocus

Nice shootin', Mike. You made the most of your trip.

Personally I like the second shot better for purely compositional reasons. I don't like the center line split in the first image. Having the split offset in the second image appeals to me more. There's no really appealing colors etc. to the sky so it is basically dead space. My eye is always drawn to mountains and it's easier for me to ignore the deadspace at the bottom of the frame in this particular image. Even to the point of helping focus my attention on the compelling aspects of the photo.

Hikin' Mike

I was leaning towards the second one one I processed it. My wife likes the first one.

Thanks for the feedback.

Hikin' Mike

Re-processed #1....
Based on feedback from here and others, I re-processed the first image. I added some 'punch' to try and match the colors/contrast of the second shot. I also cropped it slightly...

thapamd

I like this second version much more. There is definitely more "punch", but it's not over the top. Nice!