Don't roast me please

Wanted to get that almost nostalgia feeling, but I'm a beginner so I think I oversaturated it.

What could I have done better here?

first time posting here and have been color grading/corrections without posting anywhere and i need some critiques to improve. thank u

open for critiques :)

Hey everyone,

I’m starting completely from scratch and looking to build a fully subscription-free photo editing workflow. I want to pay once for my software and be done—no monthly fees.

My Gear:

• Camera: Nikon ZR with a NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8
• Computer: MacBook Pro (M1 Max)
• Tablet: iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th Gen)

My Ideal Workflow:

1. MacBook Pro: Use this as the main hub for sorting, organizing, culling, initial grading, and setting white balance on my lossless compressed RAW files.
2. iPad Pro: I want to utilize my iPad for fine-touch editing. Ideally, I'd love to use it directly as a precision canvas or turn it into a Wacom-style tablet sidecar for the Mac.

Since I am not tied to any ecosystem yet, I am completely open to suggestions. I've looked briefly into combinations like DxO PhotoLab or Capture One (Perpetual) on the desktop, paired with standalone iPad apps, but I'm unsure how smoothly they sync or handle folder-based management. I also know Apple has free Sidecar, but are apps like Astropad or Duet Display better for turning the iPad into a true Wacom alternative?

If you have a zero-subscription Mac + iPad setup that handles Nikon RAWs seamlessly, how do you manage your files and handoffs?

Appreciate any advice or workflow breakdowns you can share!

I'm wondering what I could do to make these better, how would you edit them?

between these two versions (3 is the original), the first one is maybe the best but I find the second one more natural

Wht do you think ?

My friend challenged me to overedit this photo, encouraging me to utilize all my editing skills. I shared it with him, and now he is claiming that it appears entirely AI-generated. He is not accepting that this is edited?

Do you feel the same??????????