Can't decide on baby pic edit

[irishmuth]

First of all, I can't take credit for this adorable picture of our daughter, but before I have it printed, I need to decide which edit is better. Please help me by casting your vote. Sorry if this goes in the processing folder - I thought it fit here b/c it's not a heavily processed image - just a tweak in the b&w conversion.

[ShantDotMe]

I would print the second!

[Nicole]

Actually, it's even better in the comparison critique which lets you compare 2 photos (rather than the standard critique areas which are limited to 1 photo per post).

I also prefer the second one. It has the deeper blacks and brighter whites. In fact, I'd actually probably go a step further and make sure that the background in it is pure black. That being said, I do like contrasty b&w's, so that probably heavily influences my opinion.

[Penary]

Photo two has my vote, it has better contrast.

Larry

[Pitrih]

my first instinct was to choose the second photo since i like high contrast, but after a closer look i prefer the first one. Why? because it's softer (on the hair), but i don't like the gray tone on that picture.

[Kate Howells]

I prefer the second image. The first looks too blue on my screen. The second one has better contrast.

[irishmuth]

Thanks everyone. The higher contrast seems to have the consensus vote. That's probably a good thing because that's also what my wife prefers : )