C&C on PP

[FAST_Marine]

Wish I had known about RAW before i shoot this but since im not going back to the Big Island of Hawaii any time soon this is what Im stuck with. Which PP looks better, or do they both look crappy.

Original
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3529/3804457924_5b51c113e2.jpg

PP #1
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2485/3804457662_19372170de.jpg

PP#2
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3518/3803643021_b038bce654.jpg

[gamblephotography]

Number 1 is the best edit, IMO. BUT..I like the original much better than either edit.

[crashthenet44]

Square crop works better for this. The original is too centered with too much dead space on either side.

Obviously there isn't much you can do about the blown highlights, since you didn't shoot RAW.

As far as the processing goes, I'd like to see something in the middle of 1 and 2. #1 needs a little pop, but #2 is bordering on overcooked for me.