Don't think the bold B&W helps this to jump out.

Asia>Australia. Surely not.

Sharpness, да. Swirls, да. Superb in B&W, да. Splendid isolation with softer rendering towards the edges, да. You've got a good one!!!

And a good choice for the test too, да.

This one, although they're very close. Again, the problem you have with this copy isn't jumping out at me.

A bit hard to compare - quite a different style of picture. Can't see any light leaks.

Ripper! Rarely see this orientation!

I'd be very happy with this one. The subject has beautiful clarity and you've already got a grand swirl. Lovely processing too.

yeah i like it more too.. just was trying to see how far i could go in the other one.. that's too funny, Mr POD. there are plenty of examples of you masquerading as a HOL on flickr!

haha you'd no doubt be doing so in person too. She can be rather shy.

everyone is already doing it here.. they put a tip screen on the payment interfaces and make you select your tip amount right there. it's often a nuisance actually. some places I don't want to tip because I'm not getting any actual human service other than the person standing there collecting my money, so why does that deserve a tip?