'useless' challenge johnny come lately

was contemplating jezsik's article on 'shooting up close for impact' while trying to decide on one of two versions for the challenge. meanwhile, the challenge filled up and has since finished.

i'd appreciate feedback on which of these you feel might have been the better choice for an entry.

this of course is a shoe tree near zion national park. the story has it that hikers leave their shoes here after they have hiked the 'angel's landing' trail. fairly challenging hike not for the faint of heart.