Guardian - which exposure is preferred

[Sistereinstein]

Hi Everyone - I was just futzing on my guardian image and wanted some critique on what exposure you all think is better.

Normal Exposure:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/4364818...in/photostream

Then Exposed Some More:





Camera: Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi
Exposure: 0.01 sec (1/100)
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 131 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Exposure Bias: 0 EV

[LeeR]

According to the Zone System there are just 11 shades of gray from purest white to darkest black in when using black and white film. Modern digital techinques may push that a bit further but in both cases, most photographers look to make us of all the shades at their disposal.
You have not made use of the entire gray scale in the first image and have reduced it even further in the second. Is there a particular reason you are taking this image in this direction?