Good attempt, in my opinion, but ultimately misses the mark. The colors are a little washed out, but more importantly, the subject matter is not exciting enough to carry this shot to greatness. I'm left wanting to see more of something and it's just not there in the photo.

Best,
Jon

Jon,
This is not the first time you've mentioned washed out colors to me... the shot was taken w/o a UV filter on the lense, do you think that is a contributing factor? Thanks for your comments, they're very helpful.
-Pete

I agree with Jon, and no the UV filter should not affect exposure or saturation any, if at all. Conventional wisdom is that you will loose a quarter stop or less, but the exposure meter is looking through the filter so it should not effect the exposure metering.

Beamer,
Okay, Thanks:-)

I don't have much knowledge about washed colours and everything. My comment is that I'd love to see the construction worker's face. If you did photographed that way, it would be obviously what's the actual subject. Now you can't see it, partly becouse of the helmed and it's shadow and partly becouse of eyes staring at the ground (angle of the neck). I would also crop a tiny bit on the left, just make the beige/grey waterpump invisible.

Furthermore, I like the construction worker's composition on your photo. The 'ugly' background gives it a story.
Maybe it's a good idea to use selective saturation on the helmed?

Greetings,
Tamara

Pete,

Sorry not to have responded more quickly, but I see that Clyde has stepped up to the plate for me:-) In any case...what he said! Keep shooting, mate.

Jon