Does the Texture Work?

[TimA]

I posted the textured version up onto the Share your Shots section but I wanted to submit this for a critique as well.

First off here is the original. I know she's a bit too close to the edge on the left side of the photo. She was a shy girl and didn't look at me much. But as soon as she turned to me I had to quickly take a few shots and it seems I was zoomed in a bit much... However, at the same time, I still think the focal point in this case is her big beautiful eyes so I wanted to see if I've managed to maintain that focal point. This original has editing done in Lightroom 2 with some dodging and burning done in PS along with sharpening.



I then did some work with Textures from Florabella. This is a combination of about 4 textures and a frame to give it a slightly aged look. I'm new to this texturing thing so I want to know if this works or if it's too brown? Too distracting? Due to the way I did the blending of the textures, the exposure was increased but I thought it might help bring out the eyes more. I think I managed to catch a really nice emotional expression of her. But feel free to comment on that or anything else.



Stats are:
Canon 50D
70mm
1/100 at f/4.0
ISO 200

Thanks in advance!!

[fbroschart]

The textures look like fun to play with, but I personally prefer the original. She's a sweet looking little girl and I think you captured her well.

[Psywiped]

We lost all the detail in her face in the second one maby only try dodgeing her eyes and bring the detail in her face back. Also with the frame setting you are doing a visual crop on her hair try adding a frame around the origanal image which has good compisition.

[christschildjen]

I see that you mentioned you did the original work in Lightroom. What did you do the texture work with....I'm trying to find out if Lightroom can do textures. I haven't been able to find anything on it yet. I have Lightroom 2.
Thanks!

[rosburg]

I like the first one. I would love to see that one in b&w. Man the brown eyes draw you in.

[AnnaV]

I love the original! The only thing I would say is that it looks like you've whitened her eyes a bit too much. The second version is too bright and too yellow for me.

[bcummings88]

I like the first one more. The second one's background is very distracting.