Ok so i made a thread earlier on how to get this look:
http://modelmayhm-1.vo.llnwd.net/d1/photos/080218/19/47ba20b2e1fb1.jpg

And this was my take on it...
Before:
http://i27.tinypic.com/2vbq82d.jpg

After:
http://i28.tinypic.com/2u70dnd.png

If that is your first attempt I would say it was a success for sure. I could tweak here and there but not even enough to mention. Great job!

c

the shadows make her appear as if she's floating...

Heyyyy leave my floaty alone!!

Bump. I'd like you guys to take your turn at it.

if i had time and you posted a masked psd file, i'd make the shadows...

Hmmm, I'm not much of a graphic artist. I just knew that a gradient was how to get the effect you were looking for.
Personally, I think you did a fabulous job.

Three things I would do:

1) Make the gradient stronger for greater background contrast - but hardly a make or break issue. It still looks great. That's a matter of personal taste.

2) I wouldn't personally have her outside the bounds of the frame. Keeping her inside the frame borders gives it an almost postcard-like quality which adds to a perceived sense of professionalism in my opinion. BUT, that's again a matter of personal taste. What you did is most certainly something I've seen before, so it's by no means UNprofessional. So again ... it's perfectly fine. It's just a change I would have made.

3) I would add a signature (real or bogus) to give it a touch of professional appeal. There's something about a signature in the bottom corner of a photograph that just screams "professional." But the lack of a signature doesn't hurt anything either. (Photos by so and so under the title isn't quite what I mean, either).

So all things considered ... it looks great, and it has your touch, which is what matters.

Thanks soooo much frazier!!! Your right, gradient isnt strong enough, im thinking about lightening it also.

Great work!
You forgot to retouch out the real shadow at her elbow.

Ok, here is my quick try on your before image. I just want to show one different way to go, trying to get the tone and colour look from the image you have for reference. I did a very quick masking, just using the brush. If you do a better mask, the result will be much better.
I hope this quick tutorial will help.

Hey I think it looks very nice, however...

the skin near her bottom on her legs is a bit blotchy, some quick D&B would clear that right up I reckon, but try to get a more even effect than it has now.

Bump. I'd like you guys to take your turn at it.
Okay. Went for a similar effect, but tried to smooth out the legs and feet. The original are a mess.

http://edgework.tripod.com/samples/silo.jpg

Okay. Went for a similar effect, but tried to smooth out the legs and feet....]


good idea to care the legs because they're in front in this picture