Editing: Jessica

I don't know about anyone else, but I am having so much fun with editing after getting tips from Kim. I was always terrified of photoshop and now I'm not :) When I learn to do new editing skills I tend to go over board and do to much to my photos. I have been trying not to do this. If you have any tips or pointers for me, let me know.

This photo I took in November and all the pictures I took in this spot turned out really gray. I tried editing in Picnik and I didn't like what I came up with.

Here is the original:

In photoshop I added a "Soft Light" layer (Pioneer Woman has a tutorial on how to do this but with "Hard Light" HERE). And then I used PW warmer action (40%) and this is what I came up with:
I like how the photo pops a little now that it isn't so flat and gray. I also like that there is a little more color in her skin tone. But I am worried that I went a little over the top....


This picture is a favorite of my son. In photoshop I used PW seventies action, quick burn action and sharpen action (too much?)

Original:

Edit:

I liked how the seventies action toned down the red in his skin. I also like the contrast that the edge burn creates. What do you think?