Opinions needed...

I'm playing around with processing in Lightroom. I read once that you should sit down at your computer with a clear idea of how you want your end result to look. Wise words from an organized profession. And herein lies the problem. I am neither organized nor a professional, and I like playing around with them and experimenting with different looks (which ultimately is a fabulous time-waster). I especially like the faded, vintage-y look that is very popular right now (like my tiny dancer). But when I apply it to my photos, it always looks strange to me. Maybe because I usually prefer my photos to be saturated and crisp? Huh.

Anyway, the more I stare at the photos, the weirder they look. So, this is where you come in, dear reader. Can you help me out with some much needed constructive criticism? 

Here's an example, straight out of the camera (a little underexposed, but forgive me, this was before I knew anything about anything - actually, that's still partially true. Damn.):

Here's how I would normally process:

Here's a little vintage faded look I've been trying to create:

Which one do you like best? (And please don't say the first one or I will automatically veto your opinion.)

Comments

[laura vegas]

so, do you want my opinion or just want me to agree with you?!?! lol! just kidding! you know that i love the saturated and crisp look to my photos. so i really like the first edit ... looks similar to what i would do. BUT. for this photo, i really do like the second look ... i'm all for a good faded, vintagey look too. long story made short ... for this photo, i like the second one more :)

[Lucy Abrams]

Hi Mary
Although the 2nd photo is more natural and realistic, the 3rd one has a lovely warmth. So I'd go with photo 3. :)
I am no expert though...
just an admirer of your work :)
LOVE the sweet photo too.

[elizabeth]

My natural tendency is to prefer #2 like you. But, I love #3 for different reasons. They are equally beautiful, but kind of like apples and oranges. I think part of the question is what do you want to do with the picture; i.e. I can see #3 enlarged to giant size and framed. Of course, you could do that with #2 too, but it's kind of a specialty thing for #3.

And this is why that "Be Funky" site was the death of my free time the week I started playing with it, because as my friend Melissa said, photos can speak different languages and you just want to see all the ways that could go : )

[Mary MacAskill]

Be Funky? Dare I even ask since my free time is at an all-time low?

[Lonely Scrapbooker]

I vote for #3
I also wish I was better educated about how to "properly" use LR. I'm sure I'm doing it all wrong and wasting tons of time... .

[Amy]

I love the third picture. The coloring is fun and the pink is vibrant. Love it!

[Sarah M]

I think the 3rd pic has more depth to it... the colors look richer to me.

[Candy]

I love the 3rd picture, the vintage fade you've got going on. Love how it looks! I'm too nervous to try and do that w/my photos!

[julie]

love the 3rd one!!

[Rhonda Steed]

I like both editing ways. But for this picture I actually like the first edit one. But really I think this kind of thing is soooo in the eye of the beholder!