My first people post! CC please-I need it!

I'm barely beginner status with photoshop, (I have PS7) so there was very minimal PP done to these after they were converted from RAW in DPP, and cropped.

I'd love any advice-especially about good tweaks in PP to really make them pop, and what is the best way to turn a color photo into B&W? Using the channels I couldn't seem to get a bright, true rendition like I admire in other photographers work.

Here are two. Please tear them apart-I'd like to know what to do better.

You can upload more than just 2 pictures atleast most people here do. If you want to upload the other picture we could get a more visual of your problem.

Michille

Also, I don't have PS7 but when it comes to black and white i think for ps7 you can just change the mode to grayscale. I only have ps3 so not 100% for sure on that one.

Since you turned on image edit ok, I thought i would help you by changing one of your pics. to black & white. I used ps3 new black & white adjustments tool. Hope you don't mind. She is sure a cutie! Keep up the great work.

I guess it might help if I would actually attatch the image that I edited wouldn't it . Sorry about that. Ok lets try this again.

Thanks Michille! That looks much better than my efforts. It's a little boy though Hard to tell with that outfit.

I had a really hard time getting him to smile-he was all business that day. When he would giggle, he'd turn his face away!

Are they just too huge? I'm sorry, I wish I knew the html to make them smaller on this board and I would edit it into the post. Flickr doesn't have a resize option that I can find.

They come up just fine for me but I have fast speed internet. Any ways sorry about the mixup with the "boy" "girl" thing. You can definatly tell the he is a boy in the last pic. I will try to edit the one photo you were having problems with and will let you know what i did.

Michille

Here's my attempt on one of your images.

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#2 is great.

love the color and detail in the eyes and hat.

Thanks! Looking at my color shots, they just don't have the "pop". I need to learn tricks in PP for how to make them stand out more for both b&w and color.

Here is my go at a b/w conversion. Cute kid!

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You have a little yellow cast to these, otherwise great set of images. Here is my take on the first one.

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Oooh wow! I love that! Thank you Stephanie! If you care to give me any pointers on what you did I'd love to know.

Leisl-yours is showing currently unavailable?

Oops, sorry. Here it is...

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I desaturated the yellow a tad, then adjusted the color balance to more blue. Adusted levels, brightness and contrast, and up the satuation. Ran a pop action too.