To be this young

[Lara]

I took a photo which came out pretty crappy, so I tried Virtual Photographer to try and salvage it. What do you think?

[mtbbrian]

Come on Lara, give yourself some credit!
The "improved" is much better, than the original, but give yourself some credit, OK..
The crop is what improves this picture, but I am sure had you lightened up the original it would be better.
I commend you for posting both versions here, and I know you are trying to improve your picture taking. So don't be so hard on yourself.
So what is "Virtual Photographer" anyway?
Keep taking pictures! And keep posting them here!
Brian

[Lara]

Thanks Brian. I adjusted lightness and contrast of the original, but didn't like it very much. Virtual Photographer is a photoshop plugin. I think another view posted about it a while ago, so I thought I'd try it.

http://www.cameratown.com/software/s...m/hurl/id%7C24

[jar_e]

Lara,

Definately alot better. I love the color scheme, and the tight crop works well! Nice shooting,

Jared

[Lara]

Thanks Jared. I was going for an "old photo" look, but I think I went a little overboard with the grainy look.

I just learned a little about levels from Peter. I think I'll work on it a bit more.

I appreciate your comments.

[jar_e]

Kind of the young person in an old photo eh? Nice

[OldSchool]

Hi Lara,

You certainly rescued the shot. But to me, what sells this is the wonderful expression of your subject. Nice capture!

Tim

[Lava Lamp]

I took a photo which came out pretty crappy, so I tried Virtual Photographer to try and salvage it. What do you think?

Good start. I'd try to remove some of the noise, though, like this (using Neat Image.)
Goes to show you the most important part of a good photo is a good subject. ;)

[Lara]

Thank you Lava Lamp and OldSchool. I appreciate the complements and comments!

The clean up does improve the shot a lot. Thank you for the Neat Image suggestion.

[Lara]

I thought I'd make one more attempt with Neat Image and use the original color shot.