I tried my hand at layers,masking, etc. today. Let me know what you think, even if it is bad. Everybody has to learn...

DOH... here's the original file.

I think you did a great job, the eyes and the lighting on the face look much improved,,,

I moved your thread to the Digital Imaging Forum, which is really what were talking about. Think you did a real good job with the pic...

I tried my hand at layers,masking, etc. today. Let me know what you think, even if it is bad. Everybody has to learn...

Thanks guys, much appreciated!

A burst of fill flash may have saved having to do much of the PS work to be honest. It would have brought out the eyes more and made the hair less flat. Hair naturally tends towards looking dull in photographs.

I'd swipe her eyes with the dodge tool, set to highlights, at about 9-12% opacity. It will just brighten them up a bit, but not fake them out.

i like the postwork overall, but i think you could do without all the softening on the skin! just my opinion though!