Please help my fix a birthday present

[villaverde, justin]

<p>I need some help. I would like to give a friend a print of a candid shot I

took of her daughter. I created 2 selective color versions, one sepia toned,

the other B&W. Here are some links to the images:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.jvphotography.net/06OregonTrip/GenevaSepia0626.jpg"

target="_blank">1. Sepia Toned</a> - I was told this look "doll like"

and that the red flowers were a distraction.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.jvphotography.net/06OregonTrip/GenevaSelectC0626.jpg"

target="_blank">2. B&W</a> - Same red flowers.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.jvphotography.net/06OregonTrip/Geneva0626.jpg"

target="_blank">3. The Original Image</a> - slightly cropped, but that's about

it.</p>

<p>I would love some suggestions on improvements and critiques of this shot.

Should I ditch the selective color? Is the B&W a better choice? I'm not

really into people photography, so my experience is pretty limited. I spend

most of my time shooting nature, wildlife, and cityscapes. Any feedback would

be greatly appreciated.</p>

<p>Thanks in advance,<br>

Justin

</p>

[alan_chan4]

I will just stick with the original colour version as the other 2 look kind of scary because the eyes stand out so much, especially the sepia one. But then it could be just me...

[Matt Laur]

I agree that verion (1) is rather creepy looking. The red flowers in the B&W version are indeed distractiing, and sort of a cliche at this point. The original shot, with perhap all of the color desaturated just a bit (if you just can't stand the original as-is), would be (for me) more appealing.

[sfh]

I agree with Matt, but I also think you should edit away the red marks on her left upper arm,

and possibly the bug bites on the woman's leg.

[ronald_moravec1]

Either go all sepia or all color. I don`t like the try at creativity at all for this pic.

[gdw]

It all depends upon whether you would rather give a gift to your friend that your frined would like or that you feel is "creative." Your friend will appreciate the color much more.

[ericf1]

Justin,

 

I too would probably go with the original color version, or at a minimum tone down the selective color. I slightly de-saturated the color in the B&W version, and it's a bit more subtle. Just an idea.

 

Eric<div></div>

[emre]

I find the partial desaturation really cliched. I would do it in pure B&W.

[villaverde, justin]

Thanks for all the help. I decided to go with a full color version, but I muted the colors a little to soften the look.

 

Justin

[thomas_hardy1]

The kid is cute in a Loretta Lux sort of way.

 

 

http://www.lorettalux.de/

[mrlumberjack]

Forrest has nailed it! Remove the unflattering, temporary blemishes. With the blemishes removed, I think that the original image is the best.