Contest Photo Submission -- need PP critique

I am entering a contest with the photo below, and need some comments on any improvements that could be made on the post processing. Want to put my best foot forward.

Note: This photo has appeared on the forum elsewhere, but not for critique.

Thanks!

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What is the theme of the contest? That can help with suggestions for PP.

Good point.

The contest is for photos that will appear in coffee table book published by the Louisville KY newspaper, called Capture Kentuckiana. All photos have to show or illustrate life and happenings in the City. In this instance, these folks are locals who finished fourth in the Amazing Race. Taken at a local parade.

Well, the two biggest things I'm seeing is that first, the color looks a bit off. The person there on the left looks a little "ghostly"...I think I'd play with the saturation a bit more, but watch the pinks in the hair so they don't blow out!

Secondly, to me the image looks just a little on the soft side. Most of the time this isn't something I worry about at all and for a regular print or something I think it would be fine, but if this is for a contest, I think the image could use just a little more "pop". I also think I might try and clean up that lower left hand corner a bit...there's a bag or something there and while it's blurred, there's a face there too that's a bit distracting to me.

Based on your explanation of the theme, I do think you have good subject matter here, I just think the image could use a little more polish before you submit it. Hopefully others will have some better suggestions as well.

Good Luck!
Jim

I agree on the color. Part of the challenge is that both of these folks are pasty white.

I have not applied any sharpening yet, so I think I can bring it around, but I see your point about the softness.

As far as the bag goes, I will play with that a bit. Not the best at making things disappear is PS, but we all gotta learn.

Thanks for the great comments!