The lighting of the background doesn't match the lighting of the people and the shadows you've added don't match either one.

Good point, I'll fix it, because I did not realize!

Good job....good luck.

Imaginative and beautiful. Nice approach to use the source without the swing. It belongs in a classic storybook, my friend.

Very Beatrix Potter only transported to modern day

Pretty, but too CBR.
EDIT: "CBR" = Chopped Beyond Recognition. It's when you create a "jigsaw puzzle image by deconstructing the source image so badly that you could have used any image of anything to create with, because the original source is no longer visibly identifiable within the chop.

Warping, recoloring, and adding to an image is one thing. Chopping into such "mystery meat" shapes minimizes it's use in the final image. While it's allowed, (In the opinion of some), it's not the best example of one's chopping skills.

What's CBR?

Good thinking, good color!

Gostei das sombras e cores

Different approach author but great final product...well done

Scenic atmosphere with nice composition.

Very nice result, gl

Romantic image, really beautiful!

Very pleasant scene ... interesting takes on the source.

My only "critique" would be that the little boat is perhaps a bit too centered ... it would add a little more life to the image if it was not directly in the middle of the image ... see here for Rule of Thirds and composition info http://photoinf.com/General/KODAK/guidelines_for_better_photographic_composition_rule_of_thirds.html ).

Sorry I am so late with my comment I know there is nothing you can do now but thought for next time

would be perfect on the cover of a children's book. Very lovely, great imagination!

Nice image , but have to agree a bit with mossyB

Thank you for your kind comments Mossy B. and Glockman.However, with all due respect, the fence, ground and fence shadows are all in tact except for color and contrast. I chose the area because of the long fence shadows. The swing, and only the swing has been the only element used in most of the entries in this contest. I just chose a different area and focused on that. I think the shadows lend to the wonderful perspective in this shot.

I wonder why no one notice another entries who use less of source image - for example those entries who could be constructed from any other source image (the pieces of source are used only for their texture or color...) I like this entry, at least you could recognise a good piece of source. Good job!

This is delightful and whimsical, author. I credit your creativity in using a different portion of the source other than the main object in it. Love the combination of image and digital painting, too.

VEry clever idea =)