Another Critique requested...portrait

I shot this in JPG only (stupid mistake) at a Renassaince Fair last summer. I started playing with it in PS. My goal was to reduce the amout of detail in the background and fix the color. The original felt too green too me. I brought the reds to warm up the tree and her skintone. I also sharpened her eyes and reduced some of the blownout highlights in them. I softened the background by increasing feathering and repeatedly adding a glass blur. Is there an easier way than this?

http://inlinethumb25.webshots.com/24...600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb28.webshots.com/31...600x600Q85.jpg

My humble opinion, I prefer the first take, the DoF is good and gives the shot a nice feel, pity there is not more soft light on the face to bring the colour out. I don't like the extra blur as you have lost some detail on the tree trunk and the girls hair which doesn't gel with the DoF. The composition is great though I'd have liked to see the elbow in the shot too or at least a natural end to it if cut out by the branch. You have a wonderful eye for a shot. S

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Originally Posted by shootme

My humble opinion, I prefer the first take, the DoF is good and gives the shot a nice feel, pity there is not more soft light on the face to bring the colour out. I don't like the extra blur as you have lost some detail on the tree trunk and the girls hair which doesn't gel with the DoF. The composition is great though I'd have liked to see the elbow in the shot too or at least a natural end to it if cut out by the branch. You have a wonderful eye for a shot. S

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Thank you! I can't take too much credit. Taking pictures at a Renassaince Fair is like shooting fish in a barrel. These fairy's are often played by professional models and actors. They move carefully and stay out of the harsh sunlight. To me, its a great way to practice portraiture with professionals who normally wouldn't normally hire me to shoot them! :)

I have better shots of her, I was just playing around with one randomly. The best one, unfortunately, has a substantial scottsman hogging the right corner of the frame. Is there any way to realistically clone him out??

Very nice, I would have liked to be there, great photo op. Cheers, S.