"Porch Swing Moment..." Third Edit

Still trying to utilize suggestions to make this the best it can be

considering it was a candid moment that I had to grab with the current

settings on my camera. Sometimes it's worth the effort to go back and

try and save an image. This was really deserved a chance.

Please share your thoughts on this third edit.

deb

Spot on, in my opinion!  Subtle tonal transfer from highlight to shadow, as it should be when a person is shaded with a broad-brimmed hat, keeps the retouching pretty much unnoticeable.  Using a fill reflector or a pinch of fill-flash would work but you would have an image with a different and less natural feel---very nice catch-ligihts in the eyes. The shape of original catch-lights actually do look they were with result of fill-flash that in your third version you spread out slightly to make it look like the reflection of the sky.  Well done.

It was my goal to do justice to this lovely candid moment as well as do justice to your faith that I could :)

deb

.............. I've been following your progress (learning curve) with this one, and I'm so pleased for you that members took time out to give (and show) you advice and that you used it so well.

I believe you "nailed it" here...... well done.

This is definately an image worth "saving" and your persistance has done you proud.

So, well done..... again.

Regards

As i know, D300 has a very low noise even at high ISO, but here i see the noise in the face and hat with ISO 200. Anyhow this capture has a very nice composition and very well communicate with the viewer. 

I think this is fine...sometimes we drive ourselves nuts trying to create the perfect image...but I'm convinced there is no such thing...for me while I often key on specific technical elements of a photo (my old photography professor still haunts me) when I critique, it is more about the aesthetic components or what the image communicates that really attracts my attention...such is the case here...this has a lovely charm that one can't help but be drawn in by...her eyes...the infectious smile...very nice...I also like how the hat frames her face and how you included just enough of the swing to add context and tie the image together...yes it could be a bit better lit and the background is harsh...but not in a distracting way....sometimes you take what they give you and just enjoy the result...nicely captured. 

Nice shot, and little tender model