I just noticed these and starting mulling them over. While in general I like the high contrast look when done well, I don't like the first image. The second, 'pursuing', I like very much, because I think the treatment is closer to a more natural high contrast look, and the design is simpler and more effective. The first looks overdone, especially where there is detail in the people and other areas, and an obvious attempt to alter the contrast. It looks cooked. The cleaner the contrast, the better the overall look and impact will be, like in the second shot. To be fair, the second shot is also simpler in design giving the people and and interplay of shapes an enhanced dynamic quality. IMHO, I wouldn't try to alter the natural contrast beyond what the file can handle. The first image looks almost posterized in some areas.
JR