I vote for the first one as I really like the layers, colors and textures in it. The second one has two much negative space for me. BTW, including a strip of the FG in the first image balances the image and grounds it.
Hey Michael, definitely first one...debated whipping out the crop tool.....but I like the layers too much to mess with it. Preferably i would have liked the sun a little more off center.....but the layers and colors are so well balnced....that I feel it works. I also would like it w/o the black base....or even with extra canvas on bottom and extend the black a bit.......Oh heck!....I just like it!