A Thorn Among The Flowers
by smardaz

Comment:
I kind of like this, but I knew it bombed as soon as I saw it was a challenge entry. Selective desat NEVER works in free studies. My experience anyway. Fun shot.

Monsieur Yeux Bleus
by smardaz

Comment:
Excellent portrait indeed. Beautiful processing in the skin. The subtle blue and pink tones work too. Very intriguing. (Great title too.)

The Stand-off
by Maureen Theriot

Comment:
Welcome back, Maureen! This made me laugh out loud. Looks like a posed shot or a movie still. Love the tension. Hope to see more from you.

Supper Al Fresco
by Germaine

Comment:
Terrific framing! One for the textbooks.

Lush
by Melethia

Comment:
Yes, pawdrix asked me that too!! Now I ask myself that before posting anything (you'll notice fewer entries from me). Still, I like this. Effective use of shadows and light to show life, motion.

Crosswalk
by Germaine

Comment:
Looks fun. I like the grain (rather intentional or not) -- makes them look detached from reality somehow.

Observer
by Germaine

Comment:
He's too cool for words. Good job capturing this. Great contrast.

Welcome to the Paradise
by Germaine

Comment:
I agree -- dark. Maybe if the outside of the building were brighter (the dark inside is okay) it would give it more impact.

Weekenders
by Germaine

Comment:
Fabulous! Great surroundings. The (sort of) negative space gives it great context and feeling.

Mountain's Edge
by Blackbox

Comment:

Originally posted by bvy: Not sure it meets the challenge very well, but that aside, this does have a certain appeal.

Guess I could elaborate...

This was a hard challenge, I think. That's why I sat out. Suburban, by definition, is a very local concept -- a very personal one, perhaps, too. Most of the entires that were soundly suburban were soundly boring. Yours was neither in my opinion.

I gave this a five, which neither helped you nor hurt you, it looks like. I thought there was something nostalgic about it -- it has the look and feel of an old photo. I just had trouble making the suburban connection was all.