I think this is a great photo especially considering the limitations of a basic camera. The composition is great. People need to get off the soapbox a bit.
YEs this photo doesn't meet the challenge... though if you think the colours look muted I suggest you have been pampered by too many dramatically over-saturated pictures.
I see what you were going for and apart from some problems with the photograph (blown out sky, SUV in the background, lost detail) I think you might have achieved the notion of an 'idea'. I'm still having trouble relating this back to communication...but I like the bold attempt at something different.