This is a tough one. Any suggestions for improvement?
Original
(http://i1371.photobucket.com/albums/ag295/VIPCleaningService/OPR%20WIPs/BrownB_25_9_3x3_zpsltowoavv.jpg) (http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/VIPCleaningService/media/OPR%20WIPs/BrownB_25_9_3x3_zpsltowoavv.jpg.html)
WIP
(http://i1371.photobucket.com/albums/ag295/VIPCleaningService/OPR%20WIPs/BrownB_25_9_3x3wip_zpslpnmoi4u.jpg) (http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/VIPCleaningService/media/OPR%20WIPs/BrownB_25_9_3x3wip_zpslpnmoi4u.jpg.html)
You are right ... what a tough one. I don't have the expertise to recommend anything. Just wanted to wish you good luck! Will be watching to see how it turns out. :)
Great job Beth and how brave you are!
No tips other than keeping the grass area soft to match the rest of the baby?
Hannie
Here's a second version. I softened the entire photo a little more and tried to keep the baby and his surroundings balanced. Then I did some minor cloning including reshaping the top of the baby's head. I also did some burning on a new soft light layer filled with 50% gray because the whole thing looked washed out.
(http://i1371.photobucket.com/albums/ag295/VIPCleaningService/OPR%20WIPs/BrownB_25_9_3x3wip_zpsuyye5p1u.jpg) (http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/VIPCleaningService/media/OPR%20WIPs/BrownB_25_9_3x3wip_zpsuyye5p1u.jpg.html)
Hi Beth.. yes a toughie indeed.. I like the baby's face on the first version personally.. the second looks a little chalky on my screen.
Lynnya, Is this better? I turned down the blending on the baby.
(http://i1371.photobucket.com/albums/ag295/VIPCleaningService/OPR%20WIPs/BrownB_25_9_3x3wip_zpszzuxrcio.jpg) (http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/VIPCleaningService/media/OPR%20WIPs/BrownB_25_9_3x3wip_zpszzuxrcio.jpg.html)
Beth.. looking on my phone ..looks very white..will look again tomorrow on decent monitor..
Tried to tone down the bright white blanket. It isn't easy to do. I also added a little shadow under the front edge of the blanket to ground it.
I think I'm calling this one done. I'll see what they say when I upload it.
(http://i1371.photobucket.com/albums/ag295/VIPCleaningService/OPR%20WIPs/BrownB_25_9_3x3wip_zpsok4pvlcf.jpg) (http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/VIPCleaningService/media/OPR%20WIPs/BrownB_25_9_3x3wip_zpsok4pvlcf.jpg.html)
The border around the pic needs to be blown out white, 255,255,255.
Kiska's right and that is one reason when I crop that I leave the border. It is also one of the few times that I do use the white eye dropper.
Margie