she has gorgeous eyes! it might just be my monitor, but has the pink-ish tone of this portrait been added in through PS?

i liked the less blurry version of her sister's portrait.

Whilst clearly this girl is pretty and photogenic, I don't feel that this processing does her any favours. It reminds me of those 'old' photos shot in black and white that have fake colour added. I would love to see the original or a bw version (with less softening). This processing has, for me, resulted in a clown-like feel to the image. Sharp eyes tho...I can't fault those.

Lovin' the effect - for the same reasons that Jonny doesn't! ;-D

What a beautifull picture! I do prefer yesterday's one though, but can't really say why. Perhaps i like the black-white of Aimee more and is this one a bit too pink for me. And I think I missing some contrast/depth in Daisys face.

I fully agree with Jonny... and to be honest, it's the first time I open your photoblog and really don't like what I see...
Anyway, even though I am not a big fan of the post processing on this one, I am still eagerly waiting for the online tutorial...

This is a small point, but one that keeps grabbing my attention. Each time I look at the photo, I think there is something on her chin, which there isn't, it's just the light coming through from her hair behind, but it's there all the same. Sorry to sound picky.

To be honest I prefer your beach shots. This image is well composed but there is some wierd lighting in the center of her face. It looks lighter and unnatural. Not sure really.

I prefer the updated shot of Aimee to this one, I'm afraid. I agree with chiara about the weird lighting in the middle of her face - particularly noticable on the thumbnail. I wonder if it would be improved in black and white?

I like this one

I've just realised, did I pick B&W over colour? That doesn't happen very often :-)

There's been a lot of technical details discussed about these portraits but I think the most important thing is that the personality/emotion of the subject shows through. I don't know these sisters but I like the nuanced differences in the way they're portrayed. Daisy seems shy and sweet and Aimee seems a lot more self-assured and possibly even mischievous. At least that's my impression from these portraits. Hopefully this is an accurate reflection of their real personalities, or at least what they wanted to be portrayed as.

I'll prefer Aimee's portrait. This one, for me, is not balanced...the eyes are over sharpened for the rest of the face. Or maybe it's the sharpening and the color.
Just viewed "Sunset in Dubai" and it is very beautiful.
Rick

Minh you are spot on about my daughter's personalities :o) That is why I love these shots so much!

i enjoy your pictures. is your baby photography book out yet? Jeff

this one is by far much better. it looks more soft and innocent. the other was get for the eyes but made her look older. childhood is short enough as is. i also really like the way she seems to be trying to figure it out....

Hmmm, I prefer yesterdays. Perhaps it was the B & W. This is good but the soft nose puts me off this.

I'd agree with Jonny about the "fake colour" look. The way the lips have been made to stand out doesn't seem to fit with the sense of the portrait.

Between the two, I'd go for this one.
At Daisy a bit too much red filterfilter or something.Well done!

这张不错！

For me the most important thing is that the mother is thrilled with both shots. To capture the true personality is such a difficult thing to achieve in portrait photography and according to the mum, David seems to have excelled on both subjects.

Is it me or does the thumbnail of this shot seem to reveal rather too much of how the processing was done? I can see a quite noticeable area around her eyes and mouth that looks a lot pinker than the surrounding face. I assume that this is the edge of a layer mask, and the surrounding area was possibly desaturated? It is harder to see on the full size image, but still there. Overall it is an interesting treatment of a well posed and lit portrait.

mattp

Bonsoir,
Well done portrait..Nice eyes! Bravo!

Thanks everyone. And I'm with jkm on this one :-)

Porcelain comes instantly to mind. Perfect flawless complexion...what a dream for any teenager!

I've studied both pictures and have to say that I like both of them for very differerent reasons. It's like comparing apples to oranges--can't be done. For me, it's the difference in moods. Mood is important, and I believe it can even supercede technique if portrayed well. I like this shot for its innocent feel, and the other for its beautiful b/w contrast. Nice work.

If the detail in the face was there with the eyes, this would be a more pleasing shot to me. It looks to much like you specifically blurred her face and then just masked the eyes...the coloring is good, but honestly (dont take this wrong), it looks like an amateurs try at masking. AND I KNOW you aren't an amateur :) just giving my initial reaction.

I prefer this one, DJ. It's almost like an aquatint. Timeless. One really couldn't pinpoint an era in which the little girl lived. But both are really good examples of what 'portraiture' should do, i.e. capture an essential facet of the subject (which, according tho the girls' Mum, you did). :)

The first one of Aimee is an excellent contemporary composition. It wouldn't look out of place in a catalogue such as 'Spotlight'. It 'showcases' her (and her personality) and the inclusion of the white backdrop to act as a frame all around the central figure emphasises that. The cropping and positioning of the subject in the portrait of Daisy, slightly less...'exposed' to scrutiny.... was (if it was intentional) clever. As clever as including the subtle, gentle wash of colour.

Sorry mate but I find this one pretty horrible. She looks really ill to me and the purple of her eyeliner is a little too close to bruise! I actually find it quite disturbing and much prefer the B/W one. Very unusual for me to not like your processing and as jkm says, what does it matter what I think, if the mother likes it........