Just learning photoshop, need opinions on this honeymoon picture...

[CFC]

Hey guys,
this is a picture I took while on my honeymoon in Negril Jamaica last month. Though the set up wasn't for us, I thought it was appropriate since we were actually there. I liked the picture, but I wanted to spruce it up a bit.
The photo was taken with a Powershot A60 (2.1 MP)
I tried to fix it up a bit in photoshop, but I'm just learning how to use it and would like some feedback ...
thanks for looking
The first is the original, and the 2nd the retouched one.
CFC

[Radtech1]

Pretty competent job for a novice. I noticed that you boosted the intensity on the processed shot. You also blurred the background. If it were mine, I would have left the blurred background at it's original intensity. The purpose of blurring the background is to draw attention to the subject. The heightened intensity of the background draws attention AWAY from the subject. (Especially the sky and the balloons.)

Just my 2¢

Rad

[Learner]

Really good start on the “photochoppin” :D But I agree with Radtech1 on the focus and blurring. My eye tends to travel all over the second picture, but the masking and blur work is great. If you want the focus to be more on the bottle, I would eliminate distracting elements, but keep the original, because, although the focus is now on the bottle, the story of the photograph may have changed for you. I hope you don't mind but I had my try at this with the suggestion of Radtech1 to bring the focus on the subject.


http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y41/uvi/champaneAfter.jpg

Learner

[CFC]

Thanks for the suggestions guys,

I kept the background because I wanted to still show "where" the bottle was at the time, i.e our honeymoon in the caribbeans so I thought the palm tree conveyed that; but I understand the point that it does take your eyes off the main subject (along with the red balloons). I may try to desaturate it a bit and see what kind of results I get.
Thanks alot, this is a whole lot of fun.

CFC
P.S: Of course I don't mind you modifying the picture, that's part of the reason why I put it up there. :D

Thanks again,
CFC