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Now I think you're just courting controversy Matt.

With #2 I could live with the OOF bar of the hills hoist across the top and even the OOF flower bottom centre, but that giant red splotch of rose grabs ny attention not the bird. This would be in my reject pile I'm afraid.

Interesting... #1 I like cuase I'm always compelled by strong geometry when architecture is involved... #2 is more interesting actually... I would probably want to remove the front and centre object but happy as a piece of art for the rest.

Reasoning (I believe one needs to have a reason to back up a view)... the abstract treatment of the composition both man-made and natural, against the angry pose of the bird is speaking to me... but then so is the empty bottle of red next to me

Making something ordinary as a strong image is a tough challenge. You've managed to keep it simple especially the second image. Most people would usually not take that, but all the background elements in the image (hills hoist, fence, rose) complement each other to force a very strong image about suburbia.

The is the great things about our chosen passion, the variance of interpretation and opinion.
Very much like #1 and much like peter, I would be sending #2 to the recycle bin myself.

#1 The bricks on the left are too distracting and do not enhance the simplicity of the rest of the image - out of 10 - 3

#2 Too much happening and the birdie does not command enough real estate to have impact over the OOF imagery - out of 10 - 1