we all give advices. You advice takes him quite far from the original.
Your suggestion is ok. It is good to pull imagination and help others to see new possibilities. I said. But.... ...., as I said.

We all have our opinions
Jerome has also. His choice - to do whatever.

Martin,
you idea may be good. I do not argue. My imagination started working.

But...
If Jerome does the way you told, there will be more of you in the pic. Let the author do his work so that he is himself. Even if your idea is better. BTW both of you have your own good points I really do enjoy the green and red....

He may play with your ideas just for fun and learning. But if it is a competition....he must be himself ! His own ideas.

of course, it is only my opinion.

I did not enter the poll.
But some thoughts:
1. does not offer much, NO.
2. quite like it. YES.
3. no 2 is better !
4. out of focus. NO!
5. Not totally sure. Are the eyes in focus??? If not, then NO.
Nice girl, but what is message?
6. Ok. If for school comp. At the same time - not clearly understandable, what they do there. writing a word? silhuettes are nice.
but.....
PS. I do not like the branches in right upper corner.
7. Both 6 & 7 - a lot depends how you name the pics. Actually this remak goes to all pics. first thing that comes to head is "J. Christ" I do not think it is a good "heading" !
8. I like the green/red balance, the grainy look, and the expression of te girl. I doubt about the white thing on rigt side (?)

Summary: my fav: no 2 and 8 (the last one)
Good luck, whatever you choose !
You have to get lot other opinions as well. I am not professional.
My words may seem harch, do not mind.

Because....
Gartmore has it most close to the original
(See, Tel shows it so well)
The mist is the clue here.

Actually it is fun to see, what different people do....and come to the conclusion, that the closest to original is the best

You have got it!

Like it best.

Yes. youve really got the eye.

ee....scrolling the pic on the screen....
Jep. Cropping the bottom still sounds good.

I like the little bit hazy look. And the wide view around. The front branches should be more clear....
It needs the space. Tried to crop, it didnt work for me.
If the contrast is not so high, then no need of cropping?

Just played with it. Not too bold work. Just the direction where to go (?)
oh jee, rotating was needed a bit too.

The first pics went better with BW. But they are not still good.
The 2. pic was born to BW. Even I understood that
Actually I was looking for a suitable BW site as well. It sounded reasonable, what you said.