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I might come across as harsh, but, you've invited critique, so...
I think the biggest problem with the first shot, at least, is that it lacks composition and therefore, as a result, interest. Allow me to explain: it looks like a snapshot of a flower with a water droplet and doesn't really convey anything.
There is a disconnect between the blurred petal in the foreground, the in-focus droplet, the blurred flower and the creamy bokeh of the background.
You need to be able to find a way to bring all those elements together to make a compelling image. Most of the time it is to do with subject matter, but, every now and then a crop can make the world of difference. I would suggest perhaps that a horizontal crop, removing the blurred foreground at the vertex of the ">" shape that the flower makes with the background, for the bottom half, and, where the petal starts turning over itself on the top, would make a big difference. The rest of the composition then becomes redundant. By doing this crop, you would also ensure that the water droplet falls somewhere near, or on, one of the lines of thirds, at least longitudinally and immediately becomes more visually pleasing.
I think it's important to tackle the aesthetics first before moving on to the processing side of things.
I hope that didn't come across too badly, but, gives you something to think about? It's all part of the learning process.
H
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