Kids pictures, help on PP

Is there anything more I can do to help these photos? I have lightened them a bit, are they still too dark? too noisy? Any suggestions would be appreciated! Thanks!

1

They look very blue/gray to me, but it could be my monitor.

I ran the second one through CS3 - reduced the saturation on blue and cyanide, then increased the red. I also added some black to the red band to darken it up. Last but not least I added a little black to the neutral band.

Here's what I ended up with:

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Yes I agree, they do look cool. Sometimes you need another set of eyes...

Anything else?

Thanks!

2nd edit is better but the skintones are too red/magenta.

Overall, though, the lighting is too flat to be interesting.

TheHoff wrote in post #9101777
the skintones are too red/magenta.

Yep - you're right. I think I overcompensated.

I don't find them to be too dark, kind of a bit flat w/the lighting though. Did a quick edit on this one....hope you like.

I cropped it a bit
USM set at 30-60-10
Selective saturation w/sponge tool
Dodged highlights in the eyes & hair
Adjusted color balance
Boosted contrast a bit
Blurred background a bit more

Here's my take on your first pic, hope you like it.

I little further back and you may be able to pick up more of the lighting spilling over into the shade. I say get out there again when the sun starts to go down and re shoot.

I did a quick edit for you as well, though the others are good too.

Just my version, I can give you details if you want them.

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Wow! Okay you guys are GOOD! Thanks everyone!