Our Jennifer

This is our granddaughter, I went back to Scotland for three days to bring her back to Spain, my wife took her back after her holiday, I took a few photos of her and I think this is the best one, I smoothed out all her blemishes, let me know what you think of the photo, she will be checking out your comments, she's 8 going on 18!
Jack.

With respect, the textures of her skin have been lost. It does look artificial to me.
I'm not sure why you would want to smooth out the skin textures of an 8 year old.

Jack, I personally love this image the way it is and what you did to it.
I guess its a matter of personal taste from what I notice from the previous comment.

I tend to do the same to some of the close up images of my little ones. Not all of them but when I spot any that would look good by smoothening the skin like the way you did it I just go ahead and do it. And in my view it does look very nice. It gives me that soothing lighting impression all over the image and radiates that lovely silky feeling to it.

This one in my view you have really made it very appealing without overdoing it. Very nice, I like it

Thanks Paul, she only had a couple of little spots on her skin, she controlled me as to what I was doing with her face and she was quite happy with it, the main thing was I had to get her suntan in.

Thanks Amin, as you said it is a personal thing and I had to have Jennifer's approval anyway, I think there is a bit of vanity with her, anyway we won't see her till next year so it will make a nice print.
Jack.

Jack, a nice shot. Interestingly, I thought at first you had overdone it with the clarity slider, given your comments, as I do feel, like Paul, that the skin texture has gone somewhat. The thing I'm not so keen on is the tight composition. If you had moved back a tad then the whole of her head would have been in shot and the hands/arms would have been more clearly identified. But that's personal choice - you've captured expression in her eye's and that's the most important thing to me.

Tony

I decided to upload the original, it is strait out the camera only resized for upload so you can compare what i have done to it, Jennifer won't be happy,

Ah! Proof!!!! Clearly (pun intended) a bit more than spot removal!!!

That is far better lookin'. OK she has a couple of spots but nothin' a spot removal or a couple of 'clonin' procedures won't take care of. Her skin is so much better lookin'.
Maybe jus' lighten the skin some, and bob's your auntie. Nice one.

Thanks Tony, I have shots with the whole head in and a few in portrait view but Jennifer picked this one,

Well she wanted me to make her look nice! you know what women are like,

I am in the Jennifer's corner here, still . I like the first one and in your shoes Jack I too would want to make the grand daughter happy and turn an occasional portrait of hers like this, just the way she would dictate. I know what you mean Jack .

Besides, I really love the glow and smoothening general effect that overall the picture gives. It does make a very nice poster image for the wall in your living room Jack

Thanks Tony, yes I did do I little bit more like take the hair out etc. but what can I say she is the Granddaughter,

OK here is another, untouched, Jenny will love this when she see's them, this is the last as I could go on all night I have so many, Jack.

Forgot to add, all taken with the K20 and 18-250 lens.