The pic as it came out of the camera was pleasing, but I thought I could do something for the challenge. Once I started playing with it the magic flowed, I'm quite pleased with the result.
g'day Woody - i like it when i have to come back to images a few times to better understand my experience of it. I think here my brain/experience of a rose gets in the way. This velvety image (Flick nailed that) has a texture that almost cries out to be touched. Then, the image is kinda 'equalised' (not sure how to express what i mean) - the 3rd dimmension has kinda disappeared (but it is there, and thats v.cool) - no shadows, just colours. Given you processed this, my feeling is that your experience of this pic will be quite different to those of us coming to this one for the first time?
ok - enough of my ramblings, a unique take on a classic subject, love the colours and comp, and that look that makes me want to touch. cheers, adrian