A friend of mine wanted me to take their photo for the Christmas card...

This photo 'the wife' liked but wanted me to try and make a few changes.

original:
http://www.pbase.com/philsmith/image/89817382.jpg

photoshoped:
http://www.pbase.com/philsmith/image/89808898.jpg

Let me know what you think. what I changed was the guys face, wall, window, and added lights to the photo... so does it look fake? or is is ok? if not let me know what could I do to make it better.

Thanks,
-p

Might change my mind looking at a larger image, but at this size the changes to the man's face look good. The crop is good, though I'd straighten up the window frame. Color correction looks fine. The view through the window looks fake - too crisp and clear. A more 'dusk-y' image might work there, or a darkened version of the original window. The tree is too prominent, drawing attention away from the family (which should be the focus of the image). It was better in the original.

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thanks... they only want 4x6 photos (the 4x8 greeting cards)

The window...all I did was went to another part of the romm and took the shot... I'll darken it. How about a little blur in the window? I can also get rid of the lights (I just thought the tree looked dull) How about a one color light (white?)

Thanks again.
-p

Happy to offer my uneducated opinions . . . :)

Judicious darkening and blurring on that window should work fine. I wouldn't give the tree one-color lights - just make what's there less saturated and see if that helps. It's your call on removing the added lights. I myself prefer the less busy look.

It's gonna make a nice Christmas card.

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