honest feedback please...

haha! i love that idea thanks!

I agree with the other posters, the second retouh is better, IMO.
I like what you did with the first one, but it is something about her eyes that doesn't work with that process. A bit "Porciline doll" like.
I think this process would work beautifully on a woman about 40ish, would love to see a pic like that!

Lou.

And that baby has the most amazing, sharp, eyes!

Lou.

thanks lou!

I love the color in the first photograph, her hair reminds me of a blazing fire. The only downfall would be how soft her skin is, but compared to the others the color and style of the first one is the best looking.

thanks...i've been playing with it. how's the toned down version?

I find the first image too processed the skin has a plastic look , but i love the other edit , nice capture

This toned down version looks really well. The skin looks flawless (due to age?) and the light reflecting off the eyes is perfect.

awesome. thankya.

Personally, I love them both. It's a great photo to begin with and the second edit is absolutely wonderful but, and some might call me crazy, I really do enjoy the somewhat "extreme" stylization of the first! The first edit would be "artistic" in my eyes and the second would be a perfect portrait shot. Thanks for sharing!

thanks...i thought it looked almost painted or something and liked that about it.

you mentioned you wanted these as wall hangings, so I took the first photo, and the most recent edit, and had them alternate as a screen saver, and stood across the room

both looked great and I think the environment they are displayed in will be the determining factor on which one to use.

If you have a large flat screen LCD TV, I suggest hooking a laptop up to it and trying this method.

thanks...i don't but my computer monitor is a pretty good size and i thought it looked good. i'm happy to hear that some might appreciate that style tho...so thanks for the feedback everyone!

The shape of the catch lights are interesting. Almost detracting in #2. I really want round to match the shape of the babies eyes. I take it you were looking for a very warm tone in #1, second print?

hmm...it's an octobox. it looks odd? i didn't do anything to the eyes...