Personally, I like Test2 better - with the softer focus. Unless you are trying for a "gritty" feel with a portrait I think a softer focus is more flattering. We women, especially, prefer photos that are flattering to us!
generally I'd agree but the pose here suggests strenght/hardness maybe even defiance and so the slightly (very slightly) more contrasty & sharper one might agree with the pose...btw...lelani, what were the differences in processing the two?
I prefer #1 with the greater contrast-especially in the eyes. Gorgeous portrait, either way! I suppose it depends what you want to do with it which is "better".
Like Eric, I too am interested in the difference in processing. They resulted in slightly different file sizes (171kb and 163kb respectively). Please share.
btw...lelani, what were the differences in processing the two?
both done through PS CS in the followoing manner;
test1
image-image size resolution 96- (clicked) ok
image-image size (checked) resample image - (drop down arrow)bicubic sharper - pixel dimentions (longest side) 640 (clicked) ok
file - save as JPEG
test2
USM amount 192 radius .9 threshold 0
file - save for web - image size (longest side) 640 - save
