My first masking and layer attempt

[Life in Motion]

When I took this christmas picture of my kids my fire place was not working. I always invisioned it with a fire in the original pic to make it more cozy. But I just now have fixed my fireplace. So after reading how some of the other photographers in forums on this site use masking and layers I took a stab at it.

I took a new picture today with just the fireplace lit at the same focal length as the original picture from the christmas picture this year. In photo-brush 5 (free trial) I used a float mask and just inserted the fire in the old picture then cleaned up around the kids heads with the "original brush", and had to do a little "stamping" and then decided to also use the glare reflection of the fire on the floor infront of the kids from the new pic i took today. I think it turned out pretty good. I didn't do any modifications to the children....and now when i look at it i almost think I need to add a warmer glow to them as it would cast a glow to the kids if the fire really was lit? I don't know...

So, the question is...Do i need to add a glow to the kids faces? Or does it look ok like it is?

I am just glad to have found this site...and learn so many things from so many other great photographers!

EXIF: Canon Rebel xs, kit lens
F/4
iso 400
1/60 second
24mm focal length

[gjakovare]

It looks pretty good to me but then again what do I know? I'm just a beginner!

BTW: You should as a specific question and post your EXIF info as per forum rules.

[Life in Motion]

I forgot to add the original pic before the fire was added....

[Life in Motion]

Oh ya sorry...I'm a beginner too gjakovare...i edited the post. Thanks

[blissful74]

I'm also a complete beginner, but I think you did an awesome job! I MIGHT add a slight halo/glow to the back of their heads....maybe..?

[LeeR]

Do you NEED to add a warm glow to the kids faces? No, I don't think so. It looks obvious that the shot was taken with a flash so no one is going to assume it was taken by firelight. So this begs the question, COULD you add a warm glow to the faces? And I think the answer is 'yes.' However, it you do I would also suggest you use levels to tone their faces down a bit. The flash is putting a bit too much light in their faces, the baby especially. So, tone it down a bit, add some warm glow with the hue slider and you'll have an image to treasure.
(By the way, it is absolutely unfair that any one woman should have 4 such attractive children!)

[zona5101]

It is just fine the way it is. Nice job on inserting the fire

[Life in Motion]

Thank you very much. I love all your criticism in all the forums. You are very precise...which is what I needed. I didn't know where to start with correcting the obvious flash look. I played with exposure and hue saturation a little bit. Do you think it needs even more warmth and less exposure? I don't know if I got it right...looks better definitely but I don't know if it looks like it's total potential? Also in this the background is pretty sharp. Do you think it would look better with a gausian blur?

Oh and thank you for your comment . i appreciate your kind words .

[gjakovare]

Wow nicely done. I love it! Personally, I don't think you need to add any blur to it :-)

[Life in Motion]

Thank you gjakovare. It definitely looks better after the advice from LeeR. I wasn't sure what to adjust...he is always so precise and very helpful in the forums. welcome to dps also. It's such a great community!