I struggle somehow to get a pleasant result on this one.
Who is able to show me different ways to make this photo shine:
The RAW:
20260725-0913-03803.ARW (51,8 MB)
This file is licensed Creative Commons, By-Attribution, Share-Alike.
Certainly not me. One minor issue - I don’t see the RAW file. 
Even with that, though, I don’t think I could do better. Different - maybe.
Fixed
As already written, different is welcome as well.
This RAW format for the Sony A7V has just been added in LibRaw - July 21. Your RAW software may need an update…
Thanks, I noticed an issue with dt 5.4.1 and vkdt 3.4-1. It opens in ART, but I don’t have a workflow in ART.
dt 5.6. is supporting the Sony A7V.
Not much to talk about here. “It is what it is.” Most of the edits I applied kept it pretty similar to the starting point, so I guess that means it’s a very good image.
Greenery is my kryptonite, so I can’t promise any good results here.
I went with a fairly high-contrast Orton effect.
If the supreme master of editing is struggling with this picture I wouldn’t dare expect to do any better. I tried a soft approach to the edit. Not bringing out the detail and not letting the shadows get too dark. I probably have to admit I find my result disappointing but I share it to show a different interpretation of the scene.
20260725-0913-03803.ARW.xmp (22.5 KB)
That’s how I started… But it seems I ended somewhere else. 
My first intend really was a much more conservative approach. But peu à peu I dodged a bit here and burned a bit there. And then I ended with the shown result. I’m not unhappy with it. But I’m still looking for different ways to get this scenery lively and attracive without having to make that many changes.
Peu à peu I will also become a Supreme Master…
It seems you’ll have to return on an autumn morning…
I think you’ve done plenty to this photo…
Quite impressed.
Whoever is taking part in PlayRAW has the possibility to reach mastery.
I have seen many here which improved a lot over time.
But don’t forget the more important thing: FUN! 
Fun is indeed what it is for…
So far I got this… playing around a bit.
Yes, it is PlayRaw, not CompetitionRaw… though I’m guilty of having treated it that way in the past
Yeah, I tend to sometimes forget that and strive for something unique, risking a hollow phrase… instead of small gestures.
Pardon me when I do so…
But fun I always have !
20260725-0913-03803.dng.xmp (7.8 KB)
This spot is pretty dark per the exposure settings (but that iso3200 looks clean) and I had to prioritize making it obvious that the sun falls on those spots where it does.
My take for now…
Looks quite a bit similar to yours… who is the person in the background?
I kidded myself you were deep into nature and the one sees another person…
20260725-0913-03803.ARW.xmp (1.9 MB)
The was probably the most “throw mud at the wall and see what sticks” result I’ve ever arrived at. I used and discarded so many different modules and copies of modules and masks before I found a direction with it. I admire people who seem like they came up with a plan first and executed on it.
I’m not that person.
