Mary P,

I take this opportunity to publicly apologise to you. Upon re-reading my post I can see why I have offended you. I'm sorry - I ask only that you accept my un-reserved apology. My only excuse is that my post was a clumsey attempt at humour in a foolish and offensive way. I can hardly use the excuse that many Australians, me included, often delight in poking fun in jest at others who may find themselves in a sticky situation. It's a bit of a two way thing but in this case it was simply foolish, un-thinking and offensive. Of course I didn't seriously suggest telling lies about your camera malfunctioning. Again a silly, un-called for comment.

I commented earlier that I thought you did a great job for the young woman and I meant it. Further, I have seen your other posts and admire the quality of your work and obvious skill. Indeed you produce first class images in subject areas that I would never even attempt.

I just hope you can find it in your heart to accept my sincere apology in this public forum. If ever I'm in your area, with your concurrence, I would wish to shake hands and buy the drinks. Hopefully by then I will have graduated with honors from the 'How Not To Offend Others 101' class!

Again - sorry. :oops:

I think you did a technically good job of photographing exactly what was in front of your camera, however despite this good news, there is bad news and a hard lesson to be learned here. Firstly, and speaking only for myself as an old and bold photographer, producing technically correct images of landscapes, animals and still life (as distinct from humans) has one very clear advanage - they do not check over your work and demand changes, whereas humans often do. I learned (the hard way) many years ago that photoraphing humans, particularly Pretty and Not So Pretty Young Women (P&NSPYW) is an aquired art. In addition to great technical skills, the photographer requires also to master high performance communication skills. (Your comment that you (not her) thought the hair looked "cute" clearly shows you have yet to master this)!! Otherwise the P&NSPYW will not get the outcome she demands. Result? Tears all round and many sleepless nights as the photographer becomes a computer slave in an often unsucessful attempt to PP the "cute" away. The lesson - if you can't cope with the heat in the kitchen - then stay out of it. I personally have not photographically entered the P&NSPYW kithchen for many years - and probably never will!! That lesson is now over - onto your immediate problem.

If you are a cloning Guru (and I suspect you're not) and there are not a large number of images (and I suspect there are ) then simply clone the hair problem away using whatever image PP program you favour.

If you are not a cloning Guru or there are a large number of images, or both, then you have two options - both involving you eating humble pie! :shock:

(1) Best Option. Tell her that the clone tool in your camera is not working and you have to reshoot (but I'd caution you - take a mirror and hairbrush to the set and importantly, ensure that you make the P&NSPYW look as good, if not better second time round or risk more tears), or
(2) Not So Good Option Gather up your images, seek out a professional Guru and with much scrapping and bowing, outsource the problem. Ah well, it's only money! :?

Finally.... Congratulations, you have just graduated lesson 101 of photography as taught at the Univerity of Life!! :mrgreen:

These are the things that you correct before you hit the shutter. I always have a comb, hairspray and a large mirror handy and let them make the correction. With digital, I always review the pictures with subject(s) during the shoot and together decide on what corrections might be needed.