Outlining with lasso tool, select Inverse and Edit clear. Using Levels to lighten the bag .
Here is my quick result. ( 5 minutes ) Elements 2.
Here's one rough method. Takes a few minutes in photoshop. Before and after.
Your highlights are too high. Loss of detail. Here is your portrait #2 with added density in highlights. Just my opinion.
I've made tests using Raw, Tif. Jpeg fine, Jpeg normal and Jpeg basic. Jpeg fine won. It gave the sharpest image. Case closed for me. I shoot Nikon D100.
One of the reasons I no longer shoot weddings. Did for many years. The digital camera is definately hurting the professoinal photographer. Been a photographer for 59
years.
Dick Johnson
On the left side could be my dogs path.
Fox on Island shot from my back door.
Here is my back yard last winter.
There's a pond out there w/ island. I've seen Otter, Fox, Cougar, Wolf, Coyotte, Ducks & Geese.