First Communion Picture

[J.E.]

Okay, so this is me, ages ago. First Communion. Excuse the horrible 80's hair. Nobody asked me, I had no say with it. So useless to critique how horrible the fringe/pony looks.

Okay, obviously I'm not after critique on the shot itself, either, as I can't claim to have taken it. I had to work with what I had, which was this... a rather ordinary snapshot.

For my grandmas photo-calendar I scanned the above pic and PS'd it. I think I improved it...

Anyway, I'm not sure about it. It's good enough for grams' photo calendar, that's for sure, but some things don't 'feel' right, only I don't know which exactly.

So what do you think about the following aspects:

1. The catchlights in the eyes? There obviously were none and I added them to give my eyes a more lively look. Only I'm not quite sure how well 'artificial' catchlights work. Are they okay? Too obviously PS'd?

2. The vignetting? It kind of dulls the corners down, I find? I wanted the shot to become a little softer and to give it some 'glow', but I don't know if I'm happy with it. What else could I have done?

3. The flame of the candle? Sometimes I think it's obvious it wasn't part of the picture originally (especially as I added it after vignetting the borders, duh!), sometimes I think it blends in well. Seems to depend on what time of the day it is. I don't know. What do you think?

4. Anything else that feels weird/not right/overdone?

Thank you for looking. I'm really hoping for some enlightenment here, so just be as honest as you can. :blushing:

 

[Parago]

I think you did an amazing job. Flame and all. I like it. It's very hmm.. let's say 'classic' but hey - it's a first communion picture and it's for Grandma. Perfect. :thumbup:

 

[The_Traveler]

Ditto, I think this is a stupendous job and one anyone should be proud of.
IMO, the flame is fine, as is the vignetting.

The only suggestion I might have is to make her a little lower in the frame so as to leave a little more room above her head and get her eyes down on the third line.

 

[Torus34]

If Grandma likes it, it's great. You have a specific 'client', and nothing matters except pleasing her.

 

[dgs]

I think Grams will be pleased. Good job.

There are a couple things to try to see if you like them better when you look side by side: Burn the eyes a bit to reduce the shadows/bags. (You certainly don't have bags under your eyes now and really, really didn't then <grin>) Move your catchlight edit over to the right (subject's left) so they look as though they are 'catching' the candle's glow. Maybe about a 2:30 position. The candle is actually lower than that, but the catchlights below level will look really hokey, I think.

I'm not sure this will make any huge difference, but may be worth fiddling with a bit.

Again, Good Job!

 

[The_Traveler]

Burn the eyes a bit to reduce the shadows/bags.

Don't you mean to dodge the bags?
The healing brush or patch tool would work here also.