"Porch Swing Moment..." My settings were for an on the beach shoot - then this unfolded...

Thanks to a helpful comment from John, I was able to try my hand at

improving this image. Thanks John!

Please share your thoughts on my efforts...

deb

Your rework gives this image "pop", more "zing" in the levels department.  Your treatment is the most realistic of your subject in that, other than levels, nothing has been fixed.  Stray hairs, dark circles under the eyes are choices you have to leave as is, fix a little, or fix a lot.  There is no one right answer--it is a matter of personal taste and whether or not your finished image satisfies the purpose for which it was made.  Again, nice rework.

Thanks for the encouragement!

I'm currently working on the darkness beneath her eyes.  It just takes me longer to figure out how to make it happen.

deb

Takes a bit of doing. Need to get rid of the noise first. Then you have to fix the dark circles with lots of cloning and healing on multiple layers. File was small, but I got an okay result?

You did indeed!

Thank you so much!!!!

deb

I just wanted to say what to be done with the noise when I saw Les already said and did it!

Best regards Deb!

PDE

You have captured such a wonderful moment. Congratulations!