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These two pictures are two edited version of the same picture, both are slightly cropped but that's all that has been done to the first, the second is selectively colored and sharpened. I alternate between preferring the more natural look of the first and the more artistic of the second, what do you think? and what other advice can you offer?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/euanmcintosh/6973061483

http://www.flickr.com/photos/euanmcintosh/6973317465/

You've linked the same photo

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Trevor Harris

Nikon D200
SB-600
YN-560 II
YN RF 603 x 4
Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8
Nikon 50mm f/1.8

I am a fan of the more natural look, would like to see the face a bit better. Wouldn`t hurt to see if you can brighten up the face a bit. ie a bit of positive exposure dialled in when taking photo or maybe do something post processing.

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Canon Powershot S95, Canon 7D, 15-85, Canon 85 1.8 USM, Sigma 30 1.4, 50mm 1.8, Canon 100 2.8L IS Macro, Canon 70-300L IS USM+Kenko 1.4 Pro 300DGX, Canon 430EX II and RS 4 Classic

Selective colour weakens the image (as in most cases)... Definitely brighten up the "natural" version and you're good to go. The composition is good and your subject isolation is spot on.

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Canon EOS 5D MkII | Canon EOS 7D | Canon Digital Rebel XSi | EF 35mm f/1.4L | EF 50mm f/1.8 II | EF 85mm f/1.8 | EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM | EF 135mm f/2L | EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS | 580EX II | LumoPro LP-120

My Flickr

The first one. You have a natural scene and the natural processing enhances that. Selective colour adds nothing to the scene. In fact it is rather gimmicky and thus detracts from such a natural scene.

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Dan Marchant
I am learning photo graphee - see the results at www.danmarchant.com

Yeah, I agree it's pretty gimmicky. I remember I had a dip in the "selective coloring hole" 1.5-2 years ago. Glad I got out of it! (Just like the HDR hole!)
I guess it can be used well, but still gimmicky imo

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Canon DSLRs: 5D Mark III, 7D
Canon lenses: 17-40/4L, 24-105/4L, 24/1.4L II, 50/1.4, 85/1.8, 100/2.8L Macro, 70-200/2.8L IS, 100-400L
Other stuff: Canon 580 EX II, Canon 430EX II, Velbon Sherpa 600R
Apple: MacBook Pro 15", iMac 27", iPad III, iPhone 4S, Apple TV

My deviantART

I think it can work for images that are already quite extreme - such a a model with an outrageous outfit or possibly the classic black and white scene with the Red Double Decker Bus/Yellow Taxi etc. I just don't think a beautiful natural scene benefits from it.

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Dan Marchant
I am learning photo graphee - see the results at www.danmarchant.com