Yes, I think those changes will improve the images. Also, can't speak for others, I like some explanation of what is being shown. I lived in Ottawa for 3 years, so I've got an unfair advantage there! ;-)

I was out taking a walk with my sister. The view is a lone woman (student I think)sitting at the main lock where the canal meets the Ottawa river. I felt it was a great picture to express or capture that alone time I some times want even when I am in a good mood. Where I just want some time to sit reflect and appreciate all that life has to offer. I liked the POV which was taken by the walkway near the Chateau Laurier by the Major Hills Parlk From an asthetic perspective I found the tree's added the softness I wanted for the mood as well as offering a frame. The soft coolish warm colours of the grass again adds to the moood. The inherit shapes of the paved surface added a nice balance and even some weighted movement to compliment the water. It anchors the picture if you will. The calm waters adds to the pleasent independance I was trying to capture. The Blue line really compliments the movement of the water I thought. I liked the Asymetrical balance created primarily by the shape even though I still placed the subject in the near center. (just off enough to make you stop and think, I had hoped) I felt the surrounding area was important to the picture to suggest there was more than just the subject and it was worth appreciateing but that none of these factors should be entirly be shown so as to emphasise that in some way the lone woman was the subject that was suposed to create your thought wether to proveke it or to express what I wrote.

I'm not liking the bevel+emboss here. it's too wide and looks pixilated at the seams. The photo itself I like a lot though.

There's a certain tension in this composition that makes it attractove to look to! Reading your comment I get the impression you thought over it well! Beautiful capture! :)