The Starting block, two versions... Critique and comments appreciated

[shotgunshooter3]

While I was photographing a swim meet this weekend with my school's XTi, I took a moment to grab a picture of the starting blocks, for intention to use as a computer background.

Here is the image with increased saturation and contrast:

Here is the image with decreased saturation, increased contrast, and sharpened:

A pic of the original is coming soon.

Any input on these would be appreciated. IE Editing, composition, overall quality, advice, etc...

Thank you

 

[shotgunshooter3]

Here is the image straight out of the camera:

 

[cosmom3]

This picture is very distracting for me. From what it looks like the boards are what you are focused on portraying however the background is just kinda bleh for me. Also the water in your PS'd pic appears to glare almost as if a light is shining on it now.


Since there is no definitive subject for this shot, what were you trying to capture?

 

[elemental]

Assuming you were trying to capture the starting blocks, I would get much closer to one and make sure the entire thing was in the shot, set my aperture wide open to blur the distracting background, and focus on one interesting part of the block. Then you would have a photo that really emphasized the starting block and minimized the distractions.

If you weren't going for the starting block, ignore all of this.