Lots of choices and options given so far, but just wanted to add a little sidenote. I use Flickr but also have a "web based viewer" called Flickriver....that is a site that utilizes your stored images on Flickr but allows a different type of viewing perspective. Check out my page (http://www.flickriver.com/photos/mjc55ny/ ) just to see what I mean....whatever I post on Flickr shows up automatically on this other page in a simpler layout. Just another option to add to your choice selection. Good luck....

I don't even use the full photoshop version ( happy with Elements 9 so far) but membership in NAPP allows me online tutorials and a great magazine, and much to my surprise this year they sent a free book on CS6 For Digital Photographers by Scott Kelby.($30 value) The chapters on ACR still apply to some of my PP work...and most of the CS6 tips can be modified to a degree, and used in Elements. I would never have purchased the book, but find it a great resource now that I have it.

...just an FYI

This topic always reminds me of the debate that arose when the art world started to see paintings go from "realism" to "impressionism". The same arguments were bantered about back then. Some thought "ART" should be a factual representation of reality...and others thought "ART" should be what the mind's eye saw. Some artists would have the subject painted in a realistic style, but "blur" the background with an impressionistic flair.
It seems the line between a photo being completely unedited...and being "altered" is very subjective. If I blur the background, and sharpen the subject...is that OK, but saturating the orange sunset sky is not? I don't see how some can argue that a "little" alteration is OK...but not too much. That line is interpreted differently by each individual.
In regards to a "competition" ....well obviously (stated) rules are rules. If the judges said "no mountains"...or "no oceans"...or "no alterations"...or "some tweaking allowed"...then those criteria would have to be followed for that contest, regardless of any philosophical feelings about art or photography in general.

I have read about a bug regarding use of the lasso selection tool in various versions of Elements, and some users say that if they hold down the SHIFT key, while making a lasso selection, that it seems to work correctly. I haven't had this happen myself.

Just an FYI about something I read.

Hope it works.

yellow flower in bright sun....

...was looking for contrast against the steel chain

elements 9.....lots of "healing brush"....straightened a bit....a touch of sharpening. ( thanks for letting me try...)

these blooms are just screaming to be photographed.....and I tried a few tweaks , to add to the allure...

....slight vignette....subtle selective sharpening and blur...and some dodge and burn to enhance the high lights.....

finally....two weeks after original post,....they started to bloom.

...........been waiting for the color explosion.....any day now.

Good old Irfanview....after your comment I updated my version and saw the new feature you mentioned. I personally have set up a custom brush in Elements to use for a watermark/logo if I ever feel the need to stamp anything. The Irfanview method is simple, and a nice tool to have on the shelf, even if not the first choice for some edits. Thanks Jerry

Rockwell's museum is a wonderful testament to this Master. I was amazed at the size of most of his pieces. Although we remember most as a magazine cover size, they were in fact done on a life size, or even larger than life size scale.
As to the original post about Steiglitz and O'Keefe,...he was the pioneer who took photography into the art world as a new medium, and caused a great stir in so doing. O'Keefe was his life long love, and found fame as one of America's first great female artist's. She was his favorite model in his artful photographs and the blending of art and photography was brought by their union, more than either one indulging in the other's specific medium. Sorry to drone on, but maybe this synopsis might spark further interest for some, in this great iconic American Art couple.

...while studying Art History, I came upon the wonderful story of "Stieglitz And O'Keeffe". Alfred Stieglitz, known as the Father of Modern Photography, was instrumental in bringing photography into the mainstream art world in the early 1900's. His young model, and future wife, Georgia O'Keefe, also played an important role in this new medium. Lots of articles, and short YOUTUBE clips chronicle their story. Google them for some fascinating information on the blending of Art and Photography.

Yours & Mine
BY ALICE FULTON

Through your lens the sequoia swallowed me
like a dryad. The camera flashed & forgot.
I, on the other hand, must practice my absent-
mindedness, memory being awkward as a touch
that goes unloved. Lately your eyes have shut
down to a shade more durable than skin’s. I know you
love distance, how it smooths. You choose an aerial view,
the city angled to abstraction, while I go for the close
exposures: poorly-mounted countenances along Broadway,
the pigweed cracking each hardscrabble backlot.
It’s a matter of perspective: yours is to love me
from a block away & mine is to praise the grain-
iness that weaves expressively: your face.

Alice Fulton, “Yours & Mine” from Dance Script with Electric Ballerina. Copyright © 1983 by Alice Fulton.

after making your selection, play with "refine edge" to soften that "cut out" look. Sometimes it helps to just use the "blur " tool with a small brush set on 50% opacity, and run it over the edges, to soften the harsh lines. I think you are pretty close already, so maybe these tips will help.

I have the Intuos 4, and find it to be almost essential to do post processing work with. It takes a while to get used to using a stylus over a mouse, but the pressure sensitivity and smooth lines make all the difference , to me. I also use it for free hand drawing, so that aspect makes it invaluable.