A leaf from my neighbors yard (C&C welcome)

[kdthomas]

same image, two different treatments

1)

2)

 

[Tim Tucker]

You have a picture of a leaf (presumably a little dry?) against a large black background, the leaf itself probably occupies only 5-10% of the image. It is an intricate thing that reveals light and delicate patterns when backlit.
I find that the high contrast on the leaf really detracts from this and not only adds more black to the image but makes the leaf synonymous with the background instead of being lifted from it.
I would make a definite separation by not having a single black in the leaf, it would occupy all the tones from near black. I would keep the leaf bright and reduce the contrast so the intricate pattern shows through all the shadows. Bring it forward and fill it with interest, fill it with light and you contrast it with the background. The contrast here gives it no punch or drama, it just hides it in the background.