Strange; again, I tend to like the way the first shot has been framed. Not at all do I find it leads 'out of the shot' but, rather, it suggests depth and a sense of perspective. Always best to go with your first instinct, I think, and the shot is perfectly good and atmospheric. But then, if there were not dissentient opinion, what would there be to say about anything?
Would have liked to have seen this on Velvia...
Rob C