Oh, I'll let the hat thing slide Samson. This is a beautiful portrait. I love the tones used here. Everything is nice and soft and pastelly. My only crit ... being that this is a portrait, I might have perfectly centered the girl.

Great work as usual!!!

Wow. Wonderful portrait Emarts.

As you said, when the photomanip isn't noticable, it a job well done I don't think you need to move this at all. If you never said anything I don't think we would have noticed.

Your daughter is adorable...I have a 3yr old girl myself.

She's beautiful! And 'Melissa' is such a great name *wink*

Gorgeous! What a lovely portrait. And an excellent combine of 2 pics (not unusual in "analogue teqnique" ). Also wonderful colors and of course a wonderful child

i say only BEAUTIFUL

Beautiful portrait. I don't feel that the manipulation that you describe makes this photo any less "legitimate". I know that such things may be controversial to some, but to me any manipulation that does not fundamentally change the nature of the artwork is fair game. What you did was no more "incorrect" than stitching photos together for a panoramic, IMHO. It's not like you cloned in a different hat altogether. Again, great job.

Lovely portrait Samson....beautiful girl....very nice and delicate pastels...I don't consider it photomanipulation....Good work!!

Beautiful expression... She has beautiful Eyes.... I love this soft and smooth sensation.... The colors are so soft... Very delicate portrait... great shot!

Very nice portrait Samson, I really like combination of sharp and soft focus. You have a beautiful daughter. I agree with the comments on manipulation, but i appreciate that you told us.

Keith

Thanks everyone for your comments. It's very encouraging. I linked the source images in case you want to see the two images as they originally were.

A beautiful capture of a beautiful girl. I'm afraid I have to disagree with MsMichelleLynn, though. The subject of the photo is already centered: your daughter's opal eyes. I also believe that without the colorful flowers on the hat, the photo would look amateurishly pasty, rather than the pastel theme you've achieved here. Wonderful!

this is beautiful!
and a very emotional shot!
give you my max+9

Wow, this is a great picture of your beautiful daughter
Love the mood and colors, she have beautiful brown eyes!

This is an amazing photo!!!! I'd say it'd be fun to experiment with desaturing her skin to make the hat and flowers stand out some........you know like those vintage looking cards.....
Such a sweet photo!!! Really nice, max +10

Blimey, I wish my dad had taken photos this good of me when I was a nipper. At least she won't be embarrassed when she is older. Great photo.

you take very sensitive portraits, love them :]

this is a great portrait as well as the one of your son but just that you don't miss the chance, try to do some portraits without a direct look into the camera, too

PERFECT 10+

I like the soft tones you used here!
The contrast between the bright hat and Melissa's dark hair is very good!
The roses over the hat adds a nice touch to the composition! Nice job!