i prefer number 2 also, having the waterfall means that the rocks are more involved part of the space rather than just plonked there (if you know what i mean) i liked the move of the heron into the white space below though, that was a nice touch.
i find the sense of isolation interesting… to the beara and beyond, only there is no beyond. the little communities look vibrant and happy, tourists from beyond parachute in from unseen locations but the place is remote and entirely separate from the rest of the world…
no advice on processing im afraid, i have no knowledge of that kind of thing, although i find it interesting im more a hands on than digital artist…
Thanks guys and isabella for your detailed review….Though I have just noticed the water that runs off to the central right appears to just stop :-), might need to do something there ……God everytime I go back to this image I end up changing :-|