Critiques Please

[Skids]

I was trying my camera out in Manual mode and was pleased with these results but I would really appreciate what others think and what I might be able to do to improve it more so.

I am open to any comments, good or bad, thank you.

First pic has been reduced in size considerably. Second pics is a 100% crop (56k warning)

http://www.showstunners.com/odds/Carly.jpg


http://www.showstunners.com/odds/Carlycrop.jpg

[howzitboy]

i like the first one better but you have to adjust curves a bit.. id also clone out that guy in the bg. nice shot!

[shannyD]

it looks like shes facing the sun. so its making her squint a bit. but i like them. just turn her away from that angle next time.

[Skids]

i like the first one better but you have to adjust curves a bit.. id also clone out that guy in the bg. nice shot!

Many thanks for the advice I will look at the curves. I only posted the second one to show it in its original size with no compression artifacts :-)

I would love to see peoples examples of how I could improve it as I still struggle with curves. (I have enabled editing now)

Many Thanks

[Mediation]

I think the exposure is just a tad bit high. I just looked at the levels and brought the front cursor down a bit more. Darkens and brings more color forward in the image.

http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/3568/carlybp1.jpg

Original
http://www.showstunners.com/odds/Carly.jpg

[Skids]

Looks good.

Thanks for that.

[midnitejam]

The quality is gorgious in both. Very beautiful model, too. I like both, but #2 is my fav.
The DOF in #1 is a little too sharp for my taste (the background is busy and distracting). But it's a keeper non-the-less.