photo for consideration. What do you think?

[arith]

Yes I like Antonio's version; sorry about the eyes I just thought it would look nice in colour. However I too are limited with software and used a noise reduction brush to soften the skin; since bluring seems to do just that and is much harder to use.

[Antonio Correia]

I like your version very much. I had to laugh when you said studio made. It was in a small bedroom at a friends house with a black sheet hanging on the wall.
For some reason I like the strap. Makes her look, as Geoff F says , like the girl next door.
Thank you very much for your input. What software did you edit with?
Greg

Excellent Greg, if you have worked with the available stuff around you. Better than the studio then.
Yes, it's the strap not the... whatever I called it.
It doesn't matter which software I am wearing as long as you master it, somehow.
Anyway I use LR and CS4 at the same time. Curious that I began by using LR a lot and now, I am biginning to use CS and ACR. After all LR is just another version of ACR to get more sales, with a data base incorporated which Bridge does. Confusing. Confusing ...

Today, I would say to someone who wants to start: begin with LR and get CS later when you not only want to work on your photos but also when you want to manipulate them.

I am happy you liked my version.