New to the World of Retouching, Feedback welcome

[jmcupcake]

Hey all. I am new to the whole retouching thing, so I thought I would post a couple of before and afters to get your advice/opinions. Please let me know what you think and how I can improve. Thanks so much!

[jmcupcake]

Here are a couple of more to look at from me.

[TommyO]

I was going to say welcome, but you have been a member a while. Glad you decided to start posting though !

Just some quick thoughts...
Little girl - I like the direction it's going. I'm drawn to her dress a bit much, would prefer something to also draw attention to her face.

Married couple - Good removal of distractions. Tonality Ok. Maybe a smidge more lightening of his hair, just a bit to allow it to show through.

Wedding portrait - Good retouch. Flowers just a bit too saturated for me.

Woman in field - interesting image. I find the background to still be a bit too distracting, the sky a bit too blue.

[rfeldman1]

Great work !

[lurch]

To my old eyes the images were lovely but fuzzy.

[Aleksman71]

I like them all except married couple it is too dark for me.
Here is my version

[jmcupcake]

thanks everyone for their thoughts and comments, some great advice!!

[Qixil]

Great captures - one and all...

Actually - I'd be tempted to use desaturation to create focus for the first three. Not sure what to do with the fourth... interesting shot though

The little girl's skin is a little overdone... but this shot has so much potential. Pity about the blown highlights in the skirt.

The bride with flowers is great - but I can only agree with TommyO - desaturate that boquet!!! Magnificent shot otherwise.

Might be an idea to get a couple of shots under/over exposed just so you can get those highlights and lowlights in all their glory.

Keep up the good work.
Q