I am not a expert but I have tried a little more contrast and then a touch of saturation to reduce hot spots, often I use PS curves to try and get it where I think it looks best.
Yes, I agree with the above comments. It's a nice composition. Just needs a little contrast/saturation in the foliage. Maybe you could try multiple exposure layers in PS and then the eraser...
Nice work. The foliage looks better, though it might look a tad too saturated on my monitor?? That level of bright green would probably have worked in places, but as a block it might be a little too much maybe...?? Sometimes its a subjective thing...so don't quote me on that! I really do like the pic.
For Fishit, in reply to your query...I would have tried opening the image in Raw, then reopening it again with a different exposure, selecting it, copying it and then post it as a new layer over the original image. Then use the eraser on the second layer to 'paint' in some of the leaves. (ie revealing them from the first layer) You don't need to use the history button. That method usually takes a bit of playing around with, but it can work to get shadows and highlights into solid areas of colour.
You can do the same just with layers and levels/saturation etc.
I'm sure there will be others out there with more experience. I tend to use this method for saving my wrong exposures!
