Transition
Like you, OP doesn’t have to agree with it, like it, or pay it any attention.
I agree this edit is a piece of shit too, but most of your concerns boils down to the point of the edit, quick (read sloppy) and there to be an example.
Having the birds to the right does give the image a bigger impact, but that’s because it’s an easier read, you come in from the left, do a loop down the pathway, up with the birds and out the right.
Having them to the left not only uses more of the frame, but you read it down the walkway, up to the birds, down to the background, and then you notice all the details like the boats and so on.
But who knows, we’re all different.
Also, the only reason we bother thinking about the sun is because we know it’s there, if you saw this image for the first time, would you care that the sky were only gradients of grey and birds?
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