Is This Better?

[Pvt.Weed]

Help me to become a better retoucher. Click Here !

[Flora]

Wow.... Very good!!

Just one small thing ... in my opinion, the background is a bit too blurred ... but it's just my opinion ...

[Pvt.Weed]

Thanks. I agree with you about the background, I went overboard. The hard part about retouching for me is not to be heavy handed. Im just learning that.

[midnitejam]

I think the blurred back ground is at the minimum blur. I wouldn't mind seeing it blurred just a tat more. Add some Filter/Render/Lighting to create the illusion of a studio-hair-light and you have a nice "Butterfly-lighting" studio portrait.

I like the photo just the way it is. I especially like the "butterfly" technique that places a butterfly-like nose shadow upon the upper lip.

You did good
MNJ

[Chip Hildreth]

I like the blurred background. I might even try to blow it out more to the point of just color splashes. When I shoot people I usually go to a lot of trouble to de-focus background distractions.

That's just me though.