The only black guy I remember Dave was wearing a top hat, and I didn't get a shot of him either, if your guy did speak to us I must have had my attention elsewhere, either that or senility is setting in

If you got second place I think you did well. to be totally honest I don't think it's sharp enough, at least on the face where it needs it, I would guess at a low shutter speed and movement blur. the exposure has been handled well and overall its well composed, it's just let down by the sharpness.

There's also two annoying highlights that you could have easily cloned out, bottom right and behind her head.

I tried to look at your pictures but ran into a brick wall

But seriously, you mention manual focus. Before you check anything else you need to ensure your camera is focusing correctly or at least you have the dioptre adjustment correct, point the camera at an evenly lit blank surface and adjust the dioptre till the focus grid appears sharp, even if the camera is working 100% using it's own AF you won't be able to focus manually if the dioptre adjustment is off.

if that fails refer to the previous replies

I've seen that before, can't remember where the link was. so much for professional photographers

Your preaching to the unconverted Gary, I'm still listening to the Moodies and Tull

Having said that Katie Melua is very easy on the eye AND ears

PPG? that's just David sig. nothing to do with the topic.

EDIT, PS: just had a look through your PPG again David, some very nice additions since my last visit.

Makes a change to see something different to the "big stars"

I've not seen one of those for years, not at rest at least, well spotted and caught.

you must have been up at the crack of dawn to get that.

It sounds to me like a lose/lose situation, your mate seems he may know something about photography if he's insisting on the Canon (albeit with biased opinion)

If you do the shoot with the Canon the shots will suffer due to your unfamiliarity with the camera and if you do the shoot with the Pentax your mate will be overly critical anyway, either way the results wont be "good enough"

Let them pay a pro and you offer to do the satellite shots.

Call me an old softie but I love the kitten with her paw out of the bowl

Clematis seed head and the Sunglasses get my next vote, as for the rest there are some commendable shots, but it has to be said...what were you thinking with that shot of the thistle, get it in the recycle bin before anyone else sees it