WOW! Amazing transformations! I'm now all full understanding and trying what you guys did to the photo. Thanks a lot and keep them coming
Nicole - I'd hardly call the original shot "underwater photography" but the post processed ones beg to disagree.
In case any one's interested, the shot is from the water-proof, shock-proof little Olympus 770SW. Since we've had it, there were no more "might get wet, get sand or get lost" concerns when bringing a camera to the beach and everyone, including the little ones, are clicking away.
BUT while shooting underwater, one can't see the LCD screen, so out goes composition and in comes approximation and luck. And there is the sediment-looking or cloudy film over the shots even when the water is actually all clear... But still there are a lot of possibilities and I'm thinking this is one of the cases where post-processing IS the key.
THANKS ALL for the lessons! I'm sure to apply these to promising past and future underwater shots. And again, keep them coming...