Hi nx,
You made perfect changes in color and size. People like things to look at, and a finely retouched photograph is no exception. Keeping it natural while looking good and preserving some character and recognizability is critical.
Blogs with pictures are taken more seriously. We add photos to fit the theme with every blog, so selection and editing become critical.
In life, embellished pictures are also widespread. Do you usually use edited photos in your social media posts? Do you have any experiences that you can share to get more acclaim?