blurry or high standards for sharpness?

[RSil]

Hello all, I printed this as a 16x24 from H&H and I feel that it's not sharp. I want to see every eyelash and I can't. I don't know if it's my lens or it's not sharpened properly or if my expectations are too high. I used Kubota Magic Sharp. (I do plan to take Damien's sharpening class but I'm pretty PS illiterate re layers and stuff and need to start with the RAW class), THANK YOU for your time =)

[RSil]

p.s. I just read all Damien's blog posts about sharpening. it's over my head. Damien, can I submit the RAW to be sharpened professionally by someone on your team? do you provide such a service? thanks.

[Damien Symonds]

First, I need to see a 100% crop from the SOOR.

[RSil]

Thank you Damien. This was shot 1/200 with 2 speedlights. Used a tripod but no cable release for the shutter. So movement shouldn't be an issue.

Because this is a full body shot, is this acceptable sharpness or is something off?

THANK YOU!

 

[RSil]

f5 ISO 100

[Samantha LaRue]

Looks like you may have missed focus on his eyes, ever so slightly. Have you tested your camera to see if it's front or back focusing? 

Can we see another crop from where the front arm of the chair meets the back of the chair? I think that might be where your focus fell. 

Don't forget your noise removal as well: http://www.damiensymonds.net/2010/07/raw-noise-removal.html
 

[RSil]

Hi Samantha, you're right, focus may be off a smidge. But I was shooting at 5.0 so that should have compensated, no? I have a 60D so I can't calibrate my lens to camera if there's an issue. Here's another crop. So assuming the focus is off, would Damien's sharpening work better than what I posted as the first image? Can I pay someone on the team to sharpen the original file? thanks for your help!

 

[Damien Symonds]

This is absolutely fine.  I don't agree with Samantha about the focus being missed.

I do, however, agree about the noise.  Don't ever forget to remove it.

Some important reading:

http://www.damiensymonds.net/2010/07/raw-noise-removal.html

http://www.damiensymonds.net/2015/10/noise-reduction-and-sharpening-leap-of.html

http://www.damiensymonds.net/2010/08/what-you-see-when-you-pixel-peep.html