Whither
by Germaine

Comment:
This is a careful & effective composition, combining shapes, lines and tones beautifully and effortlessly. Oddly, although I can understand the role of the grain, I actually think it might detract a little, because it 'flattens' the scene out, and robs it of the sense of depth implicit in the lines ... makes it look a little like a painted theatrical backdrop. Still a nice image though. 7

One Window
by Jaimeson

Comment:
It's like a puzzle ... I feel I want to slide the windows around on the wall to solve the riddle of the blank space. It's artistically interesting and it challenges the viewer's imagination ... and that's way more than most in this challenge! Of course, it would work just as well without the grain but I like it anyway. 7.

A Place in Hell
by JPR

Comment:
Presumably this is an elevated boardwalk above an ocean very convincingly turned to fire and brimstone. It's a terrific composition, expertly photographed and processed, but it's the great idea that impresses me the most. 8 ... Nope, bump to 9.

The Night Tourist
by e301

Comment:
A brilliant street photograph. We see far too little of this stimulating genre at DPC, and yours is a terrific example of it. I am especially impressed by the details ; the spotlit legs of the 'marching' pedestrians, the perfect positioning in the scene of the primary subject, and the fact that all faces bar his are turned away ... any of these alone would have been pleasing, but to capture all of them together can only be a remarkable mix of skill and good fortune. Add to that the man's slightly bewildered expression, his hat, the finger to his brow, and what is presumably a furled collapsible umbrella inexplicably held aloft like a flag, and you have an image that can easily provide half an hour's entertainment for the thoughtful viewer. Well, maybe not half an hour; lets just say about fifty times longer than the DPC average. 10

A Fallen Leader
by Transit

Comment:
This is very powerful - it certainly does evoke the idea of a fallen captain. The hint of dust below the eye and lower horn adds to that effect; as if the animal has just now fallen and is still sliding to a halt - absurd of course, given that it's a long-dead skull, but the feeling is there nonetheless. The grain is of course entirely appropriate and contributes to the impact. 9

Out of here
by heida

Comment:
Wonderful high-impact composition. I like everything about it except maybe the grain, which I think might be a little excessive. However, it certainly does give the scene a touch of 'alternate reality'. Also love the fact that the man's hands appear to be in his pockets. Don't know why, it just seems delightfully whimsical in the context of this scene. 8

The "El"
by saiphfire

Comment:
Nearly brilliant. There's something not quite right about the positioning of the train. Maybe. What is absolutely terrific is the marvellous profusion of converging lines, and the interplay between the lighter and darker tones. 7

Borsalino
by joezl

Comment:
Well, I love these hats - I wear similar ones (alas, not Borsalino) myself. Beautifully composed and lit scene, and effective use of grain to complement the mood evoked by the composition & subject. 7

Despair
by Rikki

Comment:
A very moving portrait and a particularly effective use of grain to complement the desolate, dark mood. Everything about it is subtle and slightly understated; the man's expression, the lighting and the processing. And paradoxically, this understatement adds to the emotional impact of the photograph. 8

02:18 AM, Between Flights
by ergo

Comment:
A very interesting photograph. I love the idea of the virtually empty and almost entirely reflected scene, and the fact that the man appears to be holding a conversation with himself. And the strange, grainy tone you've used adds to the feeling of dislocation. 7