I just got this photo sent to me by a new client, for use in a newsletter. (I scaled it down, for posting here.)

It's a chop job, right? Is there any way the boy in the foreground could have that halo of light around his head, say, from the light coming through the windshield?

I don't think it's chopped. Light refracts (bends around objects)...Looks like a really sunny day, so there may be a lot of reflections happening (light bouncing off objects). The glow around his head could be caused by light coming in from the windshield window and refracting around his head. There's a hot spot (lots of light) just above his cap. That's the light source.

My opinion...

Mhm, at first glance I thought, chop! But now I am not sure.

Think I should rubberstamp at least some of it out, because it looks so odd?

just spoke to my photographer....he suggested you tone down the glow around the chin...

Not a chop.

Sunny day - light is coming in from DRIVER'S Window behind the halo dude's head.
If you look just above his head there is a little bit of flare out from the direct light coming at the lense. It looks like there might be a glass paneled building in the back ground that might be reflecting direct light back at the car.

This looks like it was shot with a telephoto lens, and this causes the halo dude to look quite close to his friend, but if one thinks of the width of a van's side door, there is probably some space between them. Halo dude is in the path of the light, while friend is behind the passenger seat shadow... that would explain lack of halo on them.

Sage is right, if a subject is backlit by a bright light you get that neat "light edging" effect - many photographers use this effect to punch out a subject against a background. This looks like it happened by accident.

ALSO: The reflection of halo dude's white shirt and arm, as well as its shadow, in the van's side panel also indicates it is not a chop.

AND I COULD BE WRONG - but if its a chop someone knew light refraction, lense compression and also knows shadows and relfection VERY MUCHO. But I don't think I'm wrong (some would say I just don't THINK! )

Yup! see the building. I think rein's right. (or is it right as rein?)

This is great stuff. Thanks so much, you guys! (I love it when I can justify loafing on the forums here at work!)

I was thinking maybe just the head had been chopped in--maybe in the original the kiddo was blinking or something, so somebody replaced it.

I think I might tone down the pieces of light under his eyebrow, the tip of his nose and his chin. It's a strange thing to have to consider--that somebody might look at a real photo and think it's a bad chop.

I still think you're looking at it too closely...but, hey, that's your job!

A guy that I know works in Geneva for a famous english fashion photograph. And he told me once that (apart from removing hair, tweaking women bodies and lips) most part of his job was to manipulate good photos and turn them into "bad" ones : ad motion blurs, "accidents" ...so the photos would look more realistic...

I've made a few simple adjustments to add to the "REALNESS" of the picture. This should make it more believable!

Is that SPOCK???

Bahahahahahaha!

You know, that could just be the image that gets me fired.

You da man, Rein!

BWAHAHAHAHAHH AHHA HAHAHA HA!

You will THANK me a MILLION times if I got you fired.

Not maybe right away, but EVENTUALLY you would thank me.

Oh, and the WAYS that YOU WOULD THANK ME!!!!!

(*staggers off to bathroom to contemplate THANKFULNESS*)

Rein, I love the new avvie.

Are you under the covers, there? I can't quite tell with my head all tilted.

not a chop Cynn... in my opinion.