Thanks to all of you for your comments. It is interesting that most of you prefer the second image - I always thought that the first one was more powerful. This is an area I visit very often and have tried quite a few shots on the same subject. The second image is a much more recent photograph. Lately, I find myself drawn to more minimalist views of the landscape. The second photo is such an example - I'll post more in the near future.
...
With regard to the first photo, the biggest thing for me is that I find the upper right (bright yellowish area) too bright (possibly blown). The point of land on the horizon is also distracting to me. The diagonal half of the photo at he lower right I find pleasing for the same reasons as I mentioned on your second photo.
...
I also prefer the vertical composition. It is simpler than the first photo, better balanced and tonalities are smoother. The framing on the first one is a bit too tight. The yellow color is distracting, it breaks the smooth surface of the sea... The top of the photo would need to be cropped. This powerful rock and the sea is all your photo needs.
The intense yellow color is the result of the late sunrise sunlight (extremely powerful during the Greek summer) and its reflection on the water. Although, I used a 3 stop ND grad, it seems (following your comments) that it wasn't enough. I'll give it a shot in Photoshop and see what I get.
@Francois: I do have two more versions of the first photo without the distant hills. The first one still caries the intense light reflection on the water, whereas the other one was taken at an earlier time of the day and therefore, the reflections and colors are "better" controlled. Let's see how these work!
Thanks again,
- Christos
[attachment=11685:RD_CA_MG_1751.jpg] [attachment=11686:C1_CA_MG_2573.jpg]