The 1st try is still better (though I know the pic was a quick fix)
Give the crowds some contrast (shades) by add shades around the bodies so they would look like they have mass and solidity. (at least give them a subtle shade), or you can simply do some line crosshatching on them to create shades. (if that's your style) Also the ground! darken it when an object's on top. (i'm not so good at explaining clearly)