And the wind take the thoughts away, to a journey without return
by onar

Comment:
Beautiful. Bumping from 7 to 8. The motion in the scarf really makes this special.

Windows at sunset
by flavioalima

Comment:
I think this is an exceedingly artistic photo. Love the simplicity. I can honestly see this one hanging in a gallery or even MOMA.

The Lighthouse
by salmiakki

Comment:
I really like the simplicity and small relative scale of the lighthouse here. I think the grain is quite effective in this photo.

white grainy noise
by korpen

Comment:
One of my faves in challenge. So simple, yet so effective.

Front Street
by charmayne

Comment:
Very cool. Almost looks like a combo of HDR and grain (realize you can't do HDR in basic). Great effect!

Days of Yesteryear
by 4trtone

Comment:
This is one of the stronger entries in this challenge IMO. I think the grain suits the subject well, and the sepia toning gives the feeling of an old postcard. Very well done!

Timeless union
by libitum

Comment:
This fits the challenge fine. The rock is certainly grainy, and the title carries the photo fairly well. However, I'm not sure it hold enough interest to make me want to learn more or to associate it with a story. Without an emotional element that speaks to me, I am forced to make a score decision based on technicals. The technicals seem okay, though a little flat. The full range of b/w tones aren't present, which knocks it down a little. The composition is neither strong nor weak. Not terrible, by any means, just not awe-inspiring for me (and please keep in mind, that is only me. Others may be blown away).

untitled
by efren

Comment:
Although I like the sullen / almost defiant expression, it is difficult for me to learn more as my eyes wander around this photo. First, the lighting is harsh and direct, so her face looks a little flattened and cold. Second there's no sense of context I can glean - like is she wearing a uniform? Religious jewelry? What is her setting? Has she been abused? I find myself wantint a little more information from the artist before I'm willing to be drawn in. With that hair, her strong feautures and icy gazy, she could tell a whole story with just one glance - but that glance as to occur in a meaningful setting for teh viewer to be able to relate to her situation.

Image Grain
by JIMCJ1301

Comment:
This is a lovely photo with nice leading lines, but unfortunately I'm not seeing much grain at all here.

Bridge to the Woods
by nickb

Comment:
Although there is grain here, I'm not sure it enhances the photo - I get more of a sense of adding grain for grain's sake then choosing a subject that grain would really enhance and playing on it. It may also be due to color temperature - this looks like an "open shade" situation where the light was not adjusted, so the result is rather flat with a lot of grays. Finally, I think there may just be too many existing textures to really support the extra texture of grain. There's just an awful lot going on in this small space, and it is difficult to focus on the subject (which I'm guessing is the bridge). The good news - you have and idea for putting a composition together. This bridge with different lighting, color temp and DOF could be very interesting indeed.