Dan

Oh, but I actually came over here because I'd linked to the thread and wanted to add my post pregnancy belly tattoo. Here
 
 

So we're leaving soon to put some sand between our toes, and enroute we'll be passing by a shop in Daphne, Al that I've been wanting to visit = called The Bell Rose Tattoo. Owner Sean Herman both does awesome tattoos http://www.thebellrosetattoo.com/sean-herman but also operates a semi-attached side project/museum/blog called the Serpents of Bienville http://www.serpentsofbienville.com/. While the latter is not not tattoo specific it did also lead me to a mid-80's (nsfw) documentary hosted by Peter Fonda which even features Lysle Tuttle dropping trou(!). Was mildly surprised to not see any reference to it anywhere on this site, so here it is: http://www.thebellrosetattoo.com/blog/2016/1/7/signatures-of-the-soul 

Get your free touch up. I do this too, always look at the little places that need more ink. Just politely show your artist and ask for touch ups, and as always tip generously =)

I'm with the above on the touchups. Any artist worth their salt will offer them, and when I first saw the post and the first pic I was wondering what the complaint might be, because the lines are solid and the script is very well done.
This looks like a tattoo that will hold up (with proper protection from sun, like you already know, etc.) I don't think you did anything wrong at this early stage. No worries. Your artist has the skills, and everyone's skin takes ink differently, so a touchup is all that is needed. 
+1 to @kblood

it's pretty normal to over analyze your tattoo for imperfections. we've all done it.
meh i don't think I'd even bother with a special visit just for a touchup, the tattoo looks fine.
you can always hit some of the areas bothering you when you session again with your tattooer for the next one.
it looks like a decent readable tattoo, you're in good hands.
 

My nipple and bellybutton:
 
Full body shot:
 

5 weeks is not even healed yet,I think you are looking at it too closely !
relax,let it heal for a few more months,and possibly see if it might need a minor touch-up,
otherwise,enjoy it,
IMO it looks pretty good.

5 weeks is not even healed yet,I think you are looking at it too closely !
relax,let it heal for a few more months,and possibly see if it might need a minor touch-up,
otherwise,enjoy it,
IMO it looks pretty good.

5 weeks is not even healed yet,I think you are looking at it too closely !
relax,let it heal for a few more months,and possibly see if it might need a minor touch-up,
otherwise,enjoy it,
IMO it looks pretty good.

5 weeks is not even healed yet,I think you are looking at it too closely !
relax,let it heal for a few more months,and possibly see if it might need a minor touch-up,
otherwise,enjoy it,
IMO it looks pretty good.

5 weeks is not even healed yet,I think you are looking at it too closely !
relax,let it heal for a few more months,and possibly see if it might need a minor touch-up,
otherwise,enjoy it,
IMO it looks pretty good.

5 weeks is not even healed yet,I think you are looking at it too closely !
relax,let it heal for a few more months,and possibly see if it might need a minor touch-up,
otherwise,enjoy it,
IMO it looks pretty good.

so I got an appointment today for August 25th for a tiger head on my left hand with Alycia Harr(grass valley). 

congrats on many levels,that's a great goal to achieve with a tattoo icing on the cake to boot !  good job to you and your girlfriend !  now the real hard work begins at choosing the right artist and placement and concept !

so we landed on Maui today,
the view from our condo

 
 
be here 2 weeks,the condo we rented has pretty good wifi speeds
aloha !

that's cool and so is he,really down to earth dude,we spent about 5 hours with him ,my wife and myself drove 3 hours to convention in Fresno a couple months ago and both got work from him at that show,it was a great time,and great tattoos,it was super fun for my wife and me to get tattooed by the same guy at the same show.He is a real kick to talk to.


I am trying to nail down 2 more appointments with him for us at SF in october.

so I got an appointment today for August 25th for a tiger head on my left hand with Alycia Harr(grass valley). 

congrats on many levels,that's a great goal to achieve with a tattoo icing on the cake to boot !  good job to you and your girlfriend !  now the real hard work begins at choosing the right artist and placement and concept !

congrats on many levels,that's a great goal to achieve with a tattoo icing on the cake to boot !  good job to you and your girlfriend !  now the real hard work begins at choosing the right artist and placement and concept !

A couple of months ago my girlfriend told me that if I got into the school I applied for, she would get me a chest piece! After months of hard work I found out today that I got accepted for the school!
So I guess a chest piece is on it's way!

I don't think we're going to save every single person who sees this board from what we perceive to be a bad idea. People who want simple walk-in or street shop tattoos can still get a tattoo that is more or less well done, even if it's an infinity symbol or a phrase that we might think is dumb. For that matter, I'm going to guess that plenty of tattooers who have posted here have spent many hours making tattoos like this one at various points in their careers. And learning from it.

so I got an appointment today for August 25th for a tiger head on my left hand with Alycia Harr(grass valley). 

so I got an appointment today for August 25th for a tiger head on my left hand with Alycia Harr(grass valley). 

so I got an appointment today for August 25th for a tiger head on my left hand with Alycia Harr(grass valley). 

Oooo...what's the bigger tattoo and are you on his/her list yet? I'd invite you to consider getting something bigger if you are serious about dipping your toe in the water. There is so much good info on this forum and check out the photos in the gallery, too!