after investing some more effort with Local Adjustments instead of overall contrast …
VC2
.
than later simplified as a new (enhanced) version
VC3 → 780_0723 2023-05-07.nef.dop (881,6 KB)
Based on the same ‘idea’ as with the gremlin in the tree, I reduced the attention (dimmed the whole pic) to then bring it back on the two pipes … guiding the viewer’s eye.