Too much post processing?

[kptyson]

This is the most Photoshop post processing I have ever attempted and I'm wondering if it is so obvious that it detracts from the image.

This started out with the background nicely exposed and with nice contrast. The head of the costume was a little under exposed and the dancer's face was quite under exposed. She is, after all, in the shadow of the costume. The inverse of what I wanted given the expression on the dancer's face.
Here's the EXIF data for the shot:
Nikon D70s with 70-200mm F/2.8
Exposure: 1/180s at 5/6.7
ISO: 400
Focal Length: 70mm
Using Bridge, I created three images with exposures set at -1, +1 and +2.45
I assembled them into a single image with each original in it's own layer. The one with the exposure of -1 became the background. +1 was used for the costume and the last for the dancer. A little judicious use of the magic wand tool and layer masks and I had the image you see here.
So, what do you think?

[Nicole]

Personally I wouldn't have known it was photoshopped (take with a grain of salt since significant post-processing is still a new experience for me). So I think it looks good.

One quick thing that I did notice though was the fact that some of the fur areas on the costume appear to be blown out. You said that the head of the costume was under-exposed, so I wonder if you might be able to go back and bring back some of the detail in the fur.

Otherwise, good job

[ready123smile]

Nicely done! Can you show us the original photo? I'm very impressed with the result.

[wulf]

Originally Posted by Nicole

One quick thing that I did notice though was the fact that some of the fur areas on the costume appear to be blown out. You said that the head of the costume was under-exposed, so I wonder if you might be able to go back and bring back some of the detail in the fur.

I'd second that and, er, third the comment that it works well as a picture. Definitely not too much post processing.

Wulf

[kptyson]

Here's the original with no adjustments.

[jiminyClickit]

kptyson,

Even more impressive, seeing what you started with; good turned to so much better.

[hsroxas]

Nicely done.
Congratulations!

[Murtasma]

Excellent work I would certianly say not to much post processing I would say it could even stand some more. Try bumping the saturation up on the costume only mask out the background and the little girl.

[Sodaman420]

I don't know much about photoshopping, just the basics. Personally, I think that the background in the new one is a little too dark. I liked the original better.
Just my .02 Cool shot though!
-Tony

[speednut]

Well done, it doesn't look over processed at all. You did a good job of keeping your changes subtle. I played a bit with the file from your Flickr (nice auto & F1 photos BTW ) and came up with two suggestions. First mask off any adjustments that brighten up the fur trim on the dragon as it's already overexposed and any further adjustments just make it more noticeable. Second use a curves layer to add a bit more contrast to the girl and the dragon. This also adds saturation and makes the dragon have more depth. I personally like the background dark because the focus is the girl making the dragon come to life, not the crowd. Maybe make the face to the right of the dragon a bit darker as she stands out prominently right now? My $.02 FWIW.