Candles

Hi everyone,

Here's a photo I took a few years ago that I've been playing around with. It was taken just outside of a Buddhist temple in China.

I'm not sure how I feel about this shot; I like the shape of the fire and the texture of the melted wax of the candle in the foreground but I feel like the candles in the background are a little distracting (too much red, perhaps?). I've already tried to darken and make the background less red but I'm not sure if it's enough. I know the lighting was a little harsh as it was taken close to mid-day.

Any thoughts/suggestions? Is this one a lost cause?

Looks like there's something good hiding in there, Maybe too much, too bright, of a background?

I agree there is something good but its not fully realised. I think part of the problem may be that the candles are just too melted and the messy shapes all blend into one.