Looking for some opinions

So it seems like lately I have spent a lot of time out shooting and I've probably spent the equal amount of time working on the computer to process the images. Now I would like to get some input from other photographers that know what they are doing :)

Here is another one that I would like some opinions on...

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4005/4353280654_c47ce9aec1_b.jpg

I like the textures in the posted image however the out of focus area is a little distracting. It's a cool subject and I can see myself spending a lot of time shooting it.

I love the pastels in the second image. Looks like something worth sending to a magazine.

Go monochrome and I think it will give it more. The colors are not important here. The texture is.

I agree with Aleks--the first shot needs more DOF--i really like the second, simple but effective.

Agreed - the shallow DOF is quite distracting in #1. I'd almost consider a radical, square or horizontal crop to get rid of most of the OOF area. It's not adding anything to the image (in my opinion) and that would help focus on the really cool textures that appear to be the focus.

#2 - very nice composition and color palette!

Thanks everyone. I like the second image more than the first one, but I do still like the first one, and it's better than how it started. But I guess to each his own.

If I were thinking of sending the second image into a magazine or something like that where would a be a good place to look at sending it?