Rose in B&W C&C Welcomed

[flashback]

Mark (Downrigger), thank you! Ha...I wish I could tell you of a secret discovery in PP that makes that happen but, turns out it's just a function of moving about sliders. Little more than a combination of adjusting curves to reduce the darker background a tetch and brightening up the rose. I can tell you that it was shot at:
f/5.7
1/1250 sec
IOS 160
FL 89 mm
28-105 kit lens

[flashback]

Since I try not to be dogmatic, and the entire point of asking for C&C is to learn, based on a few suggestions I have tried another edit of the image. I have to admit that this second image isn't entirely bad and may be, if not an improvement, an equally good lateral move. To those in the crop/darken camp, is this what you meant and does it work as you suggested?

[flashback]

I've reinserted the original so one can flip between the two for a better comparison.

[GeoBonsai]

I agree with DanK--too much negative space that doesn't draw attention to the esthetics of the rose. I'd crop it, something like this:

[flashback]

Hi Gerri and thanks. Looks like we posted simultaneously, let me know what you think of the new edit.

[bnnrcn]

Hi Jack . IMO Geri's crop looks better in the crop alternatives, because it includes the whole leaf, the stem is shorter and the rose doesn't look centered

[IzzieK]

Jack, I still feel that I will want to select the rose, get it out of its background, put it in a solid one like what Ansel Adams did and have a similar feel about it. I think this method is called composite-ing. You must admit that this has possibilities...

[flashback]

Hi Binnur, thanks again. It would appear I'm between those favoring a tight(er) crop, those that want the BG toned down, and those that like it as is (can I be between three things? )

[flashback]

Izzie, I think Ansel Adams shot that rose sitting on the piece of driftwood. I think you're talking about compositing and/or layers? In any case that's a bit beyond my pay grade at this point.

[mknittle]

(can I be between three things? )

Yeap I do it all the time.

[FootLoose]

I'm late to this party but I think you have a pretty cool picture there, Jack. I like the way the b&w has brought out the shadows and textures of the petals. I agree with others about the cropping and lighting. The 2nd version is much better IMHO.

[GeoBonsai]

One thing to keep in mind when you're going for a tightly cropped image:

If you're going to print a cropped image and place it behind a matte and frame, remember to back off the crop a little bit. You'll need a little extra space on all four sides of the image to properly position the cropped image in the matte/frame.

And, Jack, your vibrant rose image would look fabulous in a frame!

[flashback]

Thanks Greg, I'll have to tally the votes but I think 2nd image/crop/darken is the fav.

[flashback]

Geri (sorry about the extra r in my earlier reply), thank you very much. I will keep your advice in mind when I get this one printed. I really am happy with the way it came out, and actually lean towards the second edit, based on many people's advice.