Yankee Boy for the Web

As a follow up to the American basin set where Kalin suggested some more contrast and better sharpening, I am trying to better my workflow. Here is a set of a single take from Yankee Boy Basin, I have processed an image first for light, contrast, saturation with PSE7, but have varied the sharpening order for comparison. Honest, even harsh, feedback is welcome.

The first is the image processed, sharpened full size (400%, 0.3r), then just resized to 720pix. Likely for comparison, as it may be soft.

This second is the original processed image, sharpened at 400% 0.3r, the resized to 720pix, then resharpened at 100%, 0.2r, and saved for web.

You may likely have a better resolving/comtrast monitor than me and can notice a difference.

This third image is the original unsharpened processed image, resized to 720pix, then sharpened 250%, 0.2r, and saved for web.

This is an excellent shot, Doug!
Love the evergreens in the midground...they provide a nice separation for the flowers and mountains. The low clouds look great, too. Way to go!
The second is sharpened to perfection for Web viewing. The difference between the first and second is almost hard to see, but it's there ever so subtly.

*EDIT* I missed the third choice while typing this out.

Two tips for you.
First, always sharpen on a layer for two reasons. One, you rarely need to sharpen an entire image (esp. skies). Sharpening on a layer allows you to sharpen selectively via layer masks and to adjust opacity (strength) of the sharpening.
Also, after sharpening you can change the layer blend mode from 'Normal' to 'Luminosity'. This constrains the sharpening to the Lightness channel and leaves colors alone, meaning there are fewer artifacts that may occur. At the very least, after sharpening go to Edit->Fade Unsharp Mask and change the blend mode and adjust opacity there if needed.

Finally, this image is ripe for a step I use called 'Image Polish'.
Set your Unsharp Mask filter to:
Amount-20
Radius-50
Threshold-0.
This doesn't sharpen the image at all, but instead cuts through the 'haze' using a local contrast enhancement. Note that any areas on the verge of overexposure will be pushed over that edge using this technique.

John,
First, thank you for your extremely helpful feedback.
The image polish really added to this image when I tried it. I have read where you and another mentioned this "haze" filter, but did not do it on this image before the post.

Also, I have PSElements7, so can I do the selective sharpening/sans sky on a layer and change to luminosity and adjust opacity as you mention?

Doug,
After a little research I found that E7 doesn't support the use of layer masking to selectively edit your images.
However, you can download and install a simple add on that will let you do that procedure.
You can find it here.
It's worth the effort as layer masking is an extremely powerful tool that allows you to selectively edit your images.
For example, if that image polish technique causes overexposure in certain areas, but you like the results in most of the image, layer masking will let you 'erase' the effect where you don't want it. Same with sharpening, levels adjustment, curves adj., etc.

Great image, Doug! Love the layers!

Thank you, John, for the download link.

Here is a repost of #2, with the "unhaze" sharpening 20% 50r done before resizing, and +3 on brightness as the yellow flowers seemed a little dull.

That's the one!

It's hard for me to see much difference in all of those, but WOW what an awesome shot! Those misty clouds are sweet!