Ask not what your camera can do for you...ask what you can do for your camera!! ;-) Sorry, I don't know how to do the smiley thingy...

I tend to agree with kayautho...the original is nicer. If I understand what you are trying to achieve, you might try reducing the emphasis on the collar using "selective color" adjustment layer or possibly create a layer for the collar only and reduce the saturation or change hue slightly. These adjustments refer to PSCS. Hope this helps.
PS...I took the liberty to do a selective color adjustment by reducing the amount of magenta in the red and adding just a bit of cyan and yellow to the red (hope you don't mind). This is the result and something that can be achieved easily in PS, if, the collar is the main issue.

I want to express how encouraging it is to experience the willingness of so many to express what is, so often, left unsaid for various reasons. Sinatraman, I think I know sonme of what you live through. It is my belief that you are exactly where God has you for reasons we will only some day ever know. I agree whole-heartedly with Roger Allen in that it is very apparent that your photography and other talents are already used for ministry (some people have no sense of humor). In keeping with the spirit of this site, I will post two of my own photos as symbolic of our value to the One who created us all. In a way, I think He seees us as "color in an otherwise colorless world". I also believe we have been given our various talents as a light...an energy to effect those around us with His Spirit.

african violets


lena...the gift

AMEN!

Long story short Roger...I was part of the Hippie culture when in high school and had extremely adverse effects from continual LSD use. I was suicidal and deeply depressed for DECADES after going through 2 terms in different mental hospitals (included electro-shock therapy both terms). I would curse the songs of a Mockingbird outside my bedroom window in the mornings for being so joyful when I was in such despair. Had a personal encounter with the Lord. He led me to use photography to "focus" on His beautiful creation as a "therapy". Never would have believed I could EVER be happy again. He really CAN do miracles. I AM one! Oh...I love photography too ;-)

If you are looking for service by mail, I highly recommend Dale Labs in Hollywood, FL. I have had my printing done by them for several years with great satisfaction. They cater to many pros from across the nation and still do film processing in several formats including 35mm. They have mailers for convenience and very reasonable pricing. I think you'll find them to be very high quality.

www.dalelabs.com

Anytime! Let me know how it goes...best of luck!

I do have some suggestions for you on the daytime lightning question. 1)jdtx suggested a neutral density filter and this is a good way to go...it is light sunglasses for your lens and will reduce the amount of light going in the lens and lengthen your exposure time, increasing the odds of getting the shot. 2)Many digital cameras now have a "video record" feature allowing you to take video images and, with the right software, to extract a single frame from the clip. Is it cheating? Worked for me...I got some very acceptable daytime lighting shots this way. 3)If you are using a film camera go with the slowest film you can get (I think you can still find Kodachrome 64. Stop the camera down to smallest aperture (f16, f22 or better), use neutral density filter (darker the better) and leave the camera shutter open for multiple strikes if possible. It will take some figuring on the exposure time but should get you some nice results. Hope this helps.

Beautiful photograph! I really love the color composition with the placement of the green...very nice balance!

Quick note; I used to throw away much more of my work than I do now. Example below was imperfect because it was a "low-light" situation and I didn't have my tripod. Took it hand-held anyway and, of course, it was fuzzy on the edges, etc. In wanting to save the shot I post-processed it in Photoshop as an oil painting. You judge the result....

I can send one now. You're very kind to ask...I would like to see yours as well...

Gopher22's answer is the way to go...I am a "lefty" and used to use a universal (not made for one side or the other) pistol grip all the time. I feel sure they are still out there and many cameras are cable release capable...the Nikon D200 for instance. Hope this helps.

Best I can figure out the dew was slight the night before and the bud itself was closed, as they are, during the night. The bud opened in the early morning when I got the shot and, naturally, the only dewdrops were on the edges as a result of the bud being closed during the night.

If you are considering either the Nikon or the Canon cameras, let me share another option you may want to seriously look at. The Leica V-Lux1 is available in about the same price range as the two you have had recommended. The resolution is very similar as is it's ability to produce very good low-light results but the lens of the Leica, a Vario Elmarit, is I believe, superior as are the color logarithms used in the firmware of the Leica. True, you would have to purchase the camera used or refurbished but the quality of the end product is worth considering. BTW...I have this camera and I LOVE it!!
PS...the attached photo was taken with the Leica.