Which has the most impact?

Very little done in PS
First image was taken with the Canon 1.75 tele-converter lens. The second without it.

First Shot:
Camera Model: Canon PowerShot G5
Firmware: Firmware Version 2.00
Owner: ©2004 David Lewins
Date/Time: 2004:05:31 13:27:05
Shutter speed: 1/320 sec
Aperture: 8.0
Exposure mode: Manual
Flash: Off
Metering mode: Evaluative
Drive mode: Single frame shooting
ISO: 50
Lens: 7.0 to 28.0 mm
Focal length: 28.0mm
Subject distance: 3.07 m
AF mode: Continuous AF
Image size: 2592 x 1944
Image quality: Lossless
White balance: Auto
Saturation: Normal
Sharpness: Normal
Contrast: Normal
Picture Effect: Normal

Byte size: ZERO | Content warning: NOT AN IMAGE

Byte size: ZERO | Content warning: NOT AN IMAGE

I think the first one does. You see the beautiful tree on your left, and the horrible machine with which it's to be removed on the right. The other doesn't grab my attention as well, maybe because things are more spread apart? They're both good in my opinion, but of the two, I think the first has more impact.

I agree, defintely the first.

V

I prefer the first for the following reasons:

1. On the second you see the whole machine and it looks harmless since it is only parked.

2. On the second the machine is the subject.

3. In the first the "grabber" looks very destructive and makes you imagine what will happen.

4. Very strong contrast between live (the trees and young varens) and cold metal.

Add a very dramatic sky and the picture is complete.

Im very new to this David but here's my thoughts, The second one gives a better overall idea of what or was happening, but I like the first one more as a photo, it does have more impact, pity the mouth of the bucket wasn't more visible and wide open ...

Definitely the first one David

first one, by far.

In the second one, you don't notice the tree. The first one puts them on equal footing.

I'm going to have to jump on the bandwagon and state that I also like the first one. In the second one the machine almost looks abandoned, but in the first one it is like a harsh intrusion.

Thanks for all the imput - seems you all go for my first shot and for the same reasons I took it - I was just covering myself with the second but after processing it liked the angluar shape and the way that it cut through the sky with the barren land of the horizon viewed below that gigantic arm.

LightHunter:
I take your point about the sky

Thanks to everyone

David