Hi Don,
I like this image - and I like the initial proposal much more than the option.
I like how the colored leaves create an “S” pattern. In this regard, I would have tried to darken the background and the dark tones a bit and using the “dodge”, I would have tried to highlight the leaves.
I took the liberty of giving a quick try with your photo.
Joao, thanks for the suggestions and for going to the trouble of reworking it. I agree about lightening the leaves and darkening the background. I’d already done that, though not as much as you did. Your version has more contrast and that may be desirable. I’ll give it more thought.
Oh this is darn cool. I love the tangle of the living and dead and I prefer the first photo you put up. It has a nice balance and organization with the bare branches which frames and shows off the ones with leaves. It looks a tiny bit soft at full size. I like what João did in his edit, although it might be a bit strong. Playing around in that direction might make some improvements to accentuate the differences in the subjects.
