Need some Portrait C&C - 1st attempt

[Duffy Pratt]

Yes, I see some banding on her chest now that you mention it. I doubt it comes from the Green channel move. Instead, I suspect its a large halo from the high resolution/low amount sharpen I did, combined with the low resolution. It wouldn't be too hard to track down and fix.

I like her eyes better as a greenish grey, instead of a bright green. Her hair color isn't red enough to support the full green eyed look. And I think the grey eyes are more striking anyways. And I don't care for the bright red lips either. But I think you did a really good job on the skin smoothing. It's much smoother than the original, but still looks like skin (instead of the mannequin look that seems so common).

Duffy

[bfphoto]

Here is my take on the cropping and processing. Could have done better if I had used masking, but did this in a hurry. She is a very beautiful girl.

[Twelvevoltguy]

I really like the new take on this last crop, a very different perspective. Thank you all for your C&C I am in the learning process so I appreciate all of the advise I can get, I find it very helpfull. The girl in the picture is actually not a model.........yet. I am still trying to convince her that she could be. All of your responses have actually really helped my case too, thanks!!

[deleonphotographyvideo]

Bill: your editing is my favorite, I was planing do exactly the way you did ,congratulations ! in few words for me you are the winer.

[Patti Edens]

Beautiful model!

I cropped, warmed a bit, tweaked levels, blurred background and selectively sharpened the eyes and mouth and selectively blurred the skin slightly. I'm not familiar with elements so I can't say if this can be done in elements or not.

[toverman]

Don't have much to add that hasn't been said. You did a great job just starting out, and she's a beautiful subject with great eyes.

It looks like you were shooting without any supplemental light, which is my favorite, but I wonder if a reflector adding some light to her would help separate her more from the background?

[pressp]

Here's my take on it. I increased the saturation, smoothed out the skin, enhanced the eyes, and added some highlights to the hair.

[myelphoto]

I would say tighter crop since she has nice face profile

[PaulP]

I agree with the tighter crop. You have "phantom" fingers showing.

I like Patti or Bill's crops above.

-Paul.