B&W Parents-To-Be

[slsphotos]

This was a VERY impromptu shot at my cousin's baby shower. She's extremely camera shy, so I literally rushed them into position and took a few super quick shots. Unfortunately, I couldn't take the time to check the focus well, so I know the focus isn't very sharp.
My question is on the b&w conversion. The dad-to-be has rosacea, and he was even more flushed with posing for the camera, making it hard to keep him from looking muddy. Did I do a decent job at it (in cs4, converting to bw, then playing with levels and curves), or should I try again? I'm still practicing bw conversions & don't feel I've really mastered it consistently.
Also, I would like to have this printed as an 8x10. Do you think it would turn out well, even with the not-perfect focus?
Thank you for any comments/suggestions!

Camera: Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi
Exposure: 0.005 sec (1/200)
Aperture: f/2.2
Focal Length: 50 mm
ISO Speed: 200
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Off, Did not fire

[jax314]

I think you did a good job with the conversion to B&W.

However, if you were going to print this out, especially as an 8x10, then I would think the focus onthe important spots such as where their hands meet, should be in focus....but it's not.

I am sure that the f/2.2 had such a narrow DOF for you to get the entire frame in focus which, for a shot like this, you may have wanted to do if you were printing at 8x10.

[candleman]

looks to me like you need to print it 8X12 not 8X10
that hasnt been cropped to my eyes...


yeah, b/w looks good.

i'd also clone out the plant in the background

[slsphotos]

Thanks for the input!

I agree about the focus. Like I said, it was very spur of the moment bc she loathes getting her picture taken! I was snapping a close-up of of a table centerpiece prior to snapping them, so my camera was set for that. I'm not kidding when I say had I taken even a moment to check camera settings, she would have split! I was quite bummed about the focus, but hoped it might be good enough for print (perhaps a [cropped] 5x7 would be better?), as there is no way I'll get another chance to snap them.

As for cloning out the plant - I agree it's distracting, but her wispy hair would make that near impossible for me. I'm okay at cloning simple things, but not hair!

Thanks again!

[candleman]

you wont need to crop it for a 5X7
but yeah.. smaller sizes will possibly let you get away with the softness.

its looks "OK" at that size to me..

[slsphotos]

Great - thank you! It would work out better than an 8x10 as well since there's not really room to crop. Is there a method to knowing when cropping is needed to fit a standard size? I assume doing it myself would be better than letting a lab do it?

Anyway, I figure since she's a) camera shy, b) only has had snapshot photos in the last 6 years, and c) just my cousin, I can easily get away with a not-so-good focus

[candleman]

best to figure out this yourself..
i know because i only offer certain sizes as prints to clients.. so i dont crop outside that native ratio... people dont understand why you can only order certain sizes and not others.. so to simplify life for everyone i simply offer prints in one ratio.

without cropping you can print direct to
4x6
5x7
8x12
10x15
and loose nothing worth mentioning


dont get me wrong.. you CAN crop.. but you must keep to that same ratio.
so keep the
"crop using original aspect ratio" box ticked when cropping.

only when a picture looks VASTLY beter in a different ratio and simply does not work as original ratio... only then will i do that and offer them a different size.
very seldom does it happen though