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.

Weathered
by BHuseman

Comment:
I like the idea, I like the Korean writing mixed with English on the barrells, and I like the whole industrial scene. Now to the not-so-good part. This looks like it was photographed with high direct sun. Thus, you've got a lot of flat light and shadows that aren't so flattering to the subject. And although you achieved nearly a whole spectrum of grays betwen pure white and pure black, the wide swath of gray in the front make the whole photo take on a gray cast. I'd consider re-shooting this in early morning or late evening for I imagine much more pleasing results. I certainly don't mean to be harsh here - just want to give whatever insight (and feel free to ignore!) that might help a little.

I Smile When I Play
by JustinBell

Comment:
This looks like it might be a very interesting photo with just a bit more light. Unfortunately, I'm unable to see any detail. The red tone is nice - would just like to see more of it.

Gotcha
by nikuser

Comment:
This is a very sharp image - not seeing the grain here. If the preying mantis were in a closer crop, this would be an awesome photo - just maybe not for this challenge.

Discovering a School of Deep-Swimming Jellyfish
by eris_star

Comment:
A very interesting idea. I've never thought of stalactites as looking like jellyfish, but they rather do, don't they? The composition seems a little off here - I'm wishing for one prominent "jellyfish" for my eyes to latch onto. Still a good effort.

Over the Rver ...
by onegr8dady

Comment:
I really wish you had straightened the horizon here and not reduced the image size so much, because this is a worthy shot that will probably get voted down for those two factors. The grain suits this subject well.

Day 10 - Swans - Edited
by Bruce_the_Robert

Comment:
You really did a fabulous job of pulling the details back out of the swans, and I like the border. My only suggestion would be to leave just a tad more negative space to the left - I feel like the swan is too close to the border and doesn't give enough "breathing room."