One thing I don't think anybody has talked about, if I remember right, is the shadows. The shadows are much more definitive in the second picture, and seem to contrast more with the bright colors. Everything in the first picture is darkener. Usually I like that, but I think the subject matter here allows for a little more brightness, and contrast between the shadows and the main subject. The leaves in the second picture for me are brighter and much easier on the eyes. In that way I like the second one better. Still, it depends on the mood one wants to set.
They are different John, but I can't really pick one over the other. I think the barn in the second one set in the first image would be my preference. Sorry 'bout that.
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I'm with tinplater. Over saturated sky detracts from both.
The second one shows more detail in the trees.
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