Contrast and texture are the two main themes I see here. The horizontal/verticle lines of the horizon and the grasses; and the texture of the foreground grasses. I much prefer the first edition to the second. The second version loses the strength of that contrast. Firstly the second version proportions seem distored; secondly the left hand grasses are (almost) invisible, again losing the horizontal/verticle contrast. The strength of the black band is overwhelming as the photo is subtle shades of gray.
shutterdrone 
ouch. pretty. as much i want to, i still can’t go back there again.
Contrast and texture are the two main themes I see here. The horizontal/verticle lines of the horizon and the grasses; and the texture of the foreground grasses. I much prefer the first edition to the second. The second version loses the strength of that contrast. Firstly the second version proportions seem distored; secondly the left hand grasses are (almost) invisible, again losing the horizontal/verticle contrast. The strength of the black band is overwhelming as the photo is subtle shades of gray.