Contrast Layer Mask in action

Like the shot from 8 May, this picture was taken in the morning in bright sunlight and exhibited dark shadows and bright highlights lacking in detail.

Manipulation of curves would have been one approach to fixing it but would have not quite done the job and would probably have robbed the flower of much of its colour.

A contrast layer mask operation (opacity ~40%) has restored highlight and shadow detail but kept the vibrancy of the original.