I start with the crop to emphasize the subject and to position it better (using the law of thirds as a basic guide).
Then I adjust the colour, tone and contrast to personal preference.
Yeah. The starting shot for the day.
Minimal cropping etc.
Bottle one third in from the right.
Bridge Jumper
Cropping allowed zooming in and better emphasis on jumper.
Boy cropped to one third from the left and to get boy facing in to the frame.
Note that the water colour is much flatter here.
Glider
Colour adjustment made sky bluer, making the glider pop out.
Glider cropped to one third from the bottom and positioned more to the left so it flies into the frame not out of it.
Tone adjustment made bottom of wings stand out clearer.
Big Bird
You get the point about cropping now... closer and law of thirds.
Bird facing into the picture frame.
Contrast makes sand stand out more.
Coming in for Landing
You see how the crop focuses the subjects much better and removing surrounding distractions.
The top bird's wings also follow law of thirds.
Gnarly Scooter
Cropped in to subject and placed law of thirds from the left.
Note stronger colours after adjustment.