This is better harsha. I dont think the 'interpretation' of the image would change because of the removal of the brighter part of this image but it had definitely enhanced the impact and the feel of the image. Here the vegetation in the background and the smaller size of the giant elephants are gelling well with the mood. Thanks for sharing.

You know my answer. I personally don't think the water was adding any value to the image - whether visual or narrative. This image is much better because it's so much simpler and beautiful. Also, there is another difference. I didn't see the shafts of light illuminating the upper canopy in the previous image, which is the specialty about this one. And just when you had done everything right here, you had to add a bright WHITE border as a distraction. Sigh!

I guess I am getting confused now! I think the white border has been influenced by the previously present white water. And honestly this has been the most difficult image I have made as I still am undecided about the water and I just cant seem to translate the feeling I had when we saw this family from our boat for the first time. The glistening water and the setting sun, the tiny elephants and the mighty forest, the buzy river terns and the placid landscape.... I need help

Ha ha, just relax and enjoy this beautiful masterpiece. Border or no border, water or no water, doesn't matter; this is a sublime creation all the way. Take my advice and print it BIG and plaster it on your bedroom wall. You will love to wake up to this every morning! I know I certainly would!

Harsha,
I seem to get more inclined towards this with water cropped off than the earlier version. The green in bg against a predominant dark region really asks for the viewers attention.
"Must print" sort of image for me.

To the point - water didn't add any value though I must confess I keep thinking about that image for a long long time for it's uniqueness!! I like this one more than the one with water but both are keepers . Agree with shiva, show us the print of this image someday!!!

Thanks for the candid feed back guys Santosh/Shiva/Pramod I surely will work on getting this on print and hopefully will adorn one of the walls of my new home

I liked this more than the previous one and I wish the noise wasn't that prominent, a great mood alleviator of an image this.