Surface Blur on Skin or No?

[Spiralofourdiv]

The difference in miniscule, but when you are editing, these things tend to seem important. The first one is very sharp, you can see individual hair follicles, goosebumps from the cold water, etc. The second has an added SLIGHT surface blur, smoothing out the skin a bit, getting rid of the little discrepancies. I'm unsure which I like more. The models skin is beautiful in either case, but I'm not sure which is preferable for the scene. The detail in the sharp image seems to add a level of realism, but the smooth one kinda makes the skin glow, making it feel more "summerish". I don't know... what you you guys think?

-Brian

[zachinglis]

Very subtle difference, but I prefer the top one.

[gnome33nz]

Not that I'm any expert, but I prefer the top one.

[PowerPix]

The photos are very "pixely". Almost like they are of low resolution or something. In any case, the top one looks better.

[Gina9942]

I like the first one, but I noticed and maybe its just my monitor but the torso looks a golden warm color and the head and legs have a cold cast to them, did you photoshop anything else? I feel like the face colors do not match the body. The legs look like they are in the shadows and that could be why, but I am not sure about her face

[Sterling]

Can't say I see enough difference to make a call on the surface blur. But I did notice the severe horizon angle where the water meets the shore. I suspect you cropped or composed it so that the rope would be horizontal rather than the horizon. The shot may look better with a straight horizon which would then put the girl in a bit of a reclining position.

[plangereis]

My vote goes to the top one as well.