Cropped and Replace BG

[venivedi]

She is my niece.
A few days ago, I took some shots of her with Olympus 730uz.
This shot was taken with the intention of having it photoshopped.

[venivedi]

I've cropped it and replace the background.
As you see, her left hand left the shaken trail(?), which is out of my favorite, and need some repair. ^^;

What do you think about? Any suggestions and critics would be welcome.

[Ed_L]

Overall I think you did a fine job. It doesn't look cutout at all, and fits nicely on the background. A few minor criticisms: there is a small spot between the left shoulder and the hairline that looks like it doesn't belong (as if you missed a small spot), and it appears that there is grain from the wood on her left index finger, but it could be corrected easily enough. The last thing I see is that you might have lost a little sharpness overall. But the overall assessment is that you did a nice job. Keep it up!

Ed

[Duv]

Originally Posted by venivedi

She is my niece.
This shot was taken with the intention of having it photoshopped.

I don't think I've ever, ever heard someone take a shot with the intention of having it photoshopped (perhaps only because I'm anal retentive). More often than not PS is used to correct errors in our original exposuse, film type, etc. Having said that, I generally like your pic, but perhaps you can expand on what you are trying to achieve thru PS that can't be accomplished with a well thought out properly exposed camera pic. Also, a minor point, the space between thumb and forthfinger needs to be filled with background.

Cheers
Dave

[venivedi]

First of all, thanks a lot for your pointing-outs, Ed-L and Duv!
Soon, I'll trim the layermasks more.

Ed, as you said, this shot have less overall sharpness rather have more grainy look, I guess it's mostly from the situation of that picture taking.
Low luminance, Shutter speed : 1/3 sec, F-number : 3.2, Flash : on, forced
She moved a little with the rocking chair.
By the way, could you be more specific on the grain? I mean...
'it appears that there is grain from the wood on her left index finger'
Because I don't get your word fully.

And Duv, I wish...you don't get me wrong. because I'm lack in English writing skill.
I don't depend on post-process too much...rather love properly exposed, clear and sharp original picture.
I mean...(my room was in a little mess...and after tooking several shot of her with very close-up...I wanted to get a bust shot)
so I estimated that this shot need to be cropped and replace BG...then cover the chair with quilt...though that was unsatisfactory. That's about it.
=====================================================
Here's the screen shot's of layer pallette.
One from original one, the other from (copy merged original(???)...then) resized one.

[Mig]

The first one is very, very good. It makes the viewer focus on the person.
The second one is muddied up by the new background. This background doesn't suit the picture. It robs the girl. And you cheated on the right side of her hair.
If you can, post the original at a good size.

Mig

[venivedi]

Thanks Mig for your opinion.
I've replaced attached file with original one down sized(2048*1360-->768*510), so please check it out.
By the way, I've burnt the right side of her hair...I don't get your word 'cheated' that part. Could you explain me some other words? ^^
=====================================================
...
(several hours later)
...

I tried other background and applied perspective a little.

***work progress***

From editing it for several hours, I feel quite exhausted.(Time to go to bed before start my everyday work. -.-zZZ)
Anyway, please let me know about what do you think about this one. Thanks in advance.
======================================================
(a short break after lunch time~) I did some minor tweak with blur tool and colorized layer set to overlay blend mode. It's time to back to the work. ^^;

[Kevin Connery]

Originally Posted by Duv

I don't think I've ever, ever heard someone take a shot with the intention of having it photoshopped (perhaps only because I'm anal retentive).

I do it all the time.

If I'm shooting someone and don't have a perfect match of colors for the clothes (stockings vs shoes vs top, for example), I'll pick the closest available, and plan to adjust the color in postproduction.

If I'm shooting in the studio (or outside, even), and the subject(s) won't fit fully on the background, I'll still shoot, with the intention of extending the background in postproduction.

I often shoot color--my camera can't do otherwise--knowing it's going to be made into black-and-white in the final print.

An otherwise 'perfect' shot that's marred by an unavoidable problem may still be taken, with the expectation of removing it in postproduction.

There are many other situations where I will shoot, with the full intention to 'photoshop the image' once it's shot.

It's also extremely common in commercial photography today; for some fields, it's becoming almost the normal approach.