I like the semi-abstract star trails - but the others don't do very much for me, having never visited this location.
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Agreed.
I've been to Lake George many times. The large number of resorts, cottages and vacation homes around it nowadays make it difficult to get a really nice landscape image, but the basic principles still apply. Nice composition plus beautiful light plus beautiful subject will yield a great photograph. Hike up to the top of one of the overlooking mountains before sunrise and you may get a magical photograph as the sun breaks through the morning mist.
The first image has too much empty water in the foreground, too much empty sky at the top, and rather drab lighting. The last image looks like a snapshot, with dull lighting and ho-hum composition eliminating any potential drama from the oncoming storm. No doubt it looks a lot better when printed very large, as it will have lots of detail from your stitched capture. But on-screen it's got little going for it.
The star trails, on the other hand, at least look striking against the tree silhouettes.