Loud, ugly colors, what to do?

[Anbesol]

Got a shot of my beautiful niece just this easter, but her mom, who usually dress her very well, decided to throw some loud, ugly easter colors in there. I LOVED this shot but I hated how much that orange interfered.

I tried a bw conversion, but I love those big blue eyes, so I made her eyes colored. But I think it may make it a bit too surreal, and de-emphasize the sweet expression, so I tried a very desaturated photo (-85 desat IIRC). I'm trying to think of any other ways to enhance it, I really like as is, but maybe I could do even more with the tones. Does anybody else feel that about the BW? Maybe I am being weird.

I've included the original color too just for reference.

Would like to hear your ideas, thank you!

[DrRoebuck]

Hate to say it, but the original one is the best. That, or the b+w. I may be kind of old school, but I find selective coloring distracting, more so than the orange on her shirt.

[SmartWombat]

Yep full colour for me, definitely.

[Steve Hillman]

Another vote for the full colour version.
Great eyes too.

[Grandpaw]

I also like number three. If the orange bothers you why don't you just select the orange color itself and only tone it down, Jeff

[Frog]

Have to agree...the color shot is best and like Grandpa says, you should be able to selectively tone that orange down.

[Anbesol]

Good point grandpaw, maybe I should. I personally just like the desaturated effect. I guess I'm weird like that, but I am surprised to see at such a wide consensus.

Heres a similar effect, though a lot less extreme, with selectively toned down orange. How do you guys like it next to the full color?

Thanks.

[Frog]

Works for me

[Anbesol]

Thanks for the input everybody. The lesson I take here is to do less extreme tonal adjustments with portraiture. The universal response against this seems to indicate such. Using similar effects do seem to produce more pleasant portrait effects, soft real-looking tones is probably a better option here.

But dang, just calming that orange down did a lot! Good call grandpaw, thanks! I said 'colors' in the subject title, but I guess its not really plural, as the bright orange is really the only thing loud and ugly.

[Grandpaw]

I think you have the right answer here, good job. One of the things that really made this picture for me is the facial tones and the color of her lips, which all got lost when you d saturated the whole picture, Jeff

[Nicci]

I love the colour one. It is expressive, just like a child.

[Shebang]

This is hard. The girl and her expression is so adorable, but that bright orange does compete with her. However, for me, the last edit doesn't quite get it either, because her lips and face seem washed out or something. Her lips and facial tones are prettiest in the original. I wonder what would happen if you changed the orange collar and sleeve bands to a red close to the original color of her lips rather than the "muddy" orange of the last edit? I think maybe the tension of the pink shirt and the orange collar and it's effect on her facial tones is what's really bothering me. Two cents.

[Anbesol]

hmm, like this?

[gahspidy]

Cute shot of an adorable little girl. I like the full color original as the bright colors seem to go with her expression and the cameras whimsical perspective. the orange color seems to frame her wonderful face. i'm usually about desat, but i think the colors are part of the positives in this image.
btw, the bunny/rabbit print on her shirt adds to the delight of her expression and character.
love it.

[daq7]

Grats on the sticky. Is the cheek highlight blown. Looks close to it. The light is pretty good in general though.

[Anbesol]

Woah! Awesome!

I will have to tell the little supermodel she got stickied.

[shootme]

Great set of photos, just makes you melt. Congrats on the feature.

[Frog]

Just shows that so much is a matter of personal taste.
Congrats on the sticky!

[Anbesol]

Thanks guys.

[GB1]

Congrats on the sticky. Definitely a sweet shot. The girl's emotion and openness really shine here. I think it looks best warm.

GB

[daq7]

Yep grats on the sticky. Can't say I like it a lot. On a saccharine diet. I think it is a shot that will appeal to most normal people. It is very well done and I haven't anything to add technically.

[cameramonk]

agree with ^ . stick to the colors

[Grandpaw]

I would like to add my congratulations on the sticky! I really like her eyes and facial features, Jeff :thumbsup:

[Anbesol]

Thanks all. Printed an 8x10 of this one for her mom/dad. Glad I stuck with color, thanks to your guys input.