The return

Same comment as on your POW regarding the PS work. Looks slightly more natural here (because the distance between the darker man and the others is bigger), but still quite unnatural. On a different note, I prefer your POW's composition, by far. 2 reasons: 1) This guy here is obviously back from a swimm and his hand going to his nose is not the most elegant touch. 2) The POW had a great sense of mystery - we were all wondering who was this person walking away; here the story is clearer, and less interesting than a mystery imo. regards.

I agree with Marc.

Your POW image is good but because this one has such a better composition I'd rate it so much higher. My eye travels through the whole image and comes back around again to the center of interest due to the arrangement of the 'elements' (other people, that is, in this case).

 

The one with the girl has nothing bringing your eye back around, and since both have this exciting contrast and monochromatic light, and balance, I opt for this one.

 

The additional diagonals in this one make it so much stonger also. It's a hands down winner in compositional strength over the POW.

 

Many blessings to all in the coming New Year.

Both pictures are wonderful. I especially like the family groups in the background in this one, I probably prefer the silhouette of the girl in the POW. Either way, you did a great job with both photos and congrats.