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The cropping gives the image a cramped feel. The bg on the lower lt inhibits any sense of iconic power that the flower might otherwise have. IT appears that you have done some color manipulation; consider editing that bg to enhance the iconic nature of the image. Additionally, if needed apply bg editing to open the space around the flower to give more power to the iconic form.

Stephan,

Thanks for the evident though you put into your comment. I am not sure i understood it fully, but it was valuable nonetheless.  From point of view, it was intended to draw the viewer's eye through a series of external gates into the center.  I guess it didn't work very well... 

Paul