Diagonal lines bring powerful impact to an image's composition. Some time ago I was surprised to learn the huge impact the _direction_ of those lines have, at least in some images. This photo is a great example.
In the West, we read from right to left, and that impacts on how we view images. For instance, our eyes often "enter" an image from the left side and scan to the right. For my eye, it is easier to enter the top version of the image immediately above (where the cliff line moves from lower left to upper right)
rather than the bottom, likely due in part to the complexity of the cliff rocks and the rime-covered tree on the right compared to the softer silhouettes on the left. A second benefit is that when the complexity is on the right side, it helps redirect the eye back into the image, inviting the viewer to spend more time exploring the scene.
To me, the version as-shot version:
isn't as effective because the busy left side makes it harder for the eye to enter the image, and also because the slope down is subconsciously perceived as negative (think of graphs in the news or business - good news is always moving "up").
Also, (perhaps due to all my hours hiking uphill!) my eye takes in the top image more slowly than the bottom, again letting more time be spent exploring the rock details and trying to see what else is hiding in the mist.
Of course art is very personal. How do the two orientations impact you?