Untitled

Paradise on earth.

I see a 2nd possibility

I'd just like to see myself there.  Good shot... Mike

Tony, I really like your version.  The crop of mine was predicated on wanting to circle the subject with as much shelter from the rocks and beach as possible.

Michael - I recognized your composition intent and I would have done the same thing myself. And to be politically correct, the foreground just looked too 'inky" for me for this type of scene. I had a couple of choices - lighten it or eliminate it. 

IMO, Tony's crop works well. In the original, the lighter part of the water feels like it forms more of a square. Without the foreground, there's more sense of curve that seems to go with the subject and scene. The second crop, to me, has a more sensual and harmonious vibe. Tony's crop is also a little less voyeuristic, as I feel more a part of the scene. The dark foreground in the original separates me from the scene more. The only problem I see with the crop is the change in format to an extreme horizontal, which feels a bit imposed here.

Thanks, Fred, for your feedback.  I see your point about the lighter area closest to shoreline, and Tony's version helps it conform to the rock structure.  Also, I understand your feelings about the dark area n the foreground.  However, when I processed this image, my feelings toward the woman on the raft amounted to her simply being part of the landscape.