I agree with Ofnuts that Kevin's picture stays on top, but -imo- it's his "interpretation" which stays on top.
The original one I see as being like an excellent piece of music written down, which could be subject to many good interpretations (like music), as well as to many others average or poor ones.
True that this aspect cannot be in those cases (cases where the base picture is excellent) considered an enhancement, but more a variation, an interpretation as the author said of his own.

post-scriptum: I see now you too Ofnuts played with an interpretation, good!

Kevin,

I guess you -the author of this excellent original picture- should express your critiques on the various "variations", it would be certainly interesting...

another variation



some GEGL operations

Could not resist

OK here we go

In the order that they have been posted:

trandoductin: Image
That's come out quite well. Does the script allow for adjustments, or is it completely automatic? If it's automatic it's done a nice job as the colours have remained natural. I'd be happy to take that as a starting point for further adjustments - needs to be a bit brighter for my tastes.

Akros: #1 Images
That's a good version. Comparing it to mine, I prefer the colour you've got in the top half - mine is looking a little too green. I feel the 2nd picture has got a little too bright and you're right about the dust!

he4rty1 #1 Image
Surprisingly I like this very much. Usually I take these sort of pictures for the textures and shapes but here I like that you've kept some of the texture and smoothed out some of the rest. It's a very subtle painterly effect you've achieved.

dinasset: #1 Image
It's interesting that you've left it in landscape mode - that certainly gives a different perspective on the subject. I like that you've got it bright, but I'm not so keen on the grain/noise that's been introduced.

ofnuts: #1 Image
It can be fascinating what other people see in your images. I like what you've done. I think I'd take this idea but make the stem into the fuel source for the flame, like the wooden part of a match for example.

dinaset: #2 Image
I like the way you've got the stem half into shadow. It makes me wonder what the flower would look like with the same treatment.

Akros: #2 Image
Again, it's interesting to see what other people see. Now you've shown me this, I'm always going to see an elephant! - How would it look with the elephant in negative and semitransparent overlaid on the flower?


Thank you all for your interpretations

Ofnuts is right in saying that I try to get the best image I can in the camera, which sometimes doesn't leave much to do in post processing.

I did try to take an image that had some potential for alternative interpretations rather than forcing a particular direction on the image - which would normally be lots of shadows to pick out the textures.

I hope my critiques have been received in the spirit in which they are intended. I've been offering my opinions for what little they are worth, and I don't pretend to be giving the only correct answers. Don't try to impress anyone else, do something that you are happy with.

Kevin

still another experiment

Pretty good one. Summarizes the life of the flower: appears out of nothing, gives a brief splash of splendor, and vanishes into nothingness.

thanks Ofnuts!

my try