[[insert name here]]

this is my first project trying to enhance photographs of people,
i'm wondering what would look better, and i also want the green yo-yo and yo-yo string to stand out with sort of a contrast

heres the origional

Click on the image to view it at its original size

and where i'm at so far


Click on the image to view it at its original size

[Excruciating]

You could try making the image black and white except for the yo-yo.
here's a tutorial: http://www.canonblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/vids/029selectivecolor/selective_color.html

[psv]

You could try editing the person and background seperatly by using layer masks. Try using the colour balance and brightness and contrast on the boy and then lighten the background, it should make the yo yo stand out more that way as well.

This tutorial is for something slightly different but will show you how to mask off parts of the photo and change colours

http://www.photoshopvideos.co.uk/2008/04/colouring-black-n-white-photo/

[[insert name here]]

thank you all so much i will do that then post when i'm done

[rachjm]

Whatever you have done between that first and second pic has brought out all of the imperfections in the original. Look at his cheek - all of the colour noise has been multiplied - same with the underside of the yo-yo.

I would suggest removing as much of the noise as you can before you apply any further effects. Also, be very careful with sharpening and contrast tools as these will draw attention to the original picture's defects.

Because of the quality of your original it would probably be wise to edit the various elements of the picture separately, as psv suggests.