the formers have little contrast, and make it less interesting to draw in the eye.
There is no balance consideration, well the second image has some compositional quality to it, low contrast.
I have seen low contrast images that work, but these are more like "study" images to me.
Having said that, it must have been beautiful to be there, and I certainly would have taken some snaps to remember it.
Also consider a point of interest. If its not in the subject, let it be in the process. If not in the process, maybe something else