True Grit
by fotodude

Comment:
Very appealing photograph of an interesting subject. It's the kind of 'real life' portrait that is so much more memorable and powerful than all that artfully posed crap. The grain is subtle, but sufficient for your purpose. Nice work. 8

Inner Strength
by Bud

Comment:
Perfect title for this simple but elegant portrait of a very impressive subject. The grain is discrete, and probably not even essential to the impact of the image (she'd look just as strong and dignified no matter what you did anyway). And the plain, centred composition is absolutely right for this lady; she's a person, not a model. 8

Noisy Woodgrain
by graphicfunk

Comment:
I don't know if you've read the brilliant novel "Industry of Souls" by Martin Booth, but this powerful, disturbing image would make a perfect cover photograph. Such an original take on the concept of 'grain' too, and it's certainly no gimmick ... it's contextually totally credible. 9

Runinng Down the Middle
by movieman

Comment:
This is a terrific football image. All of the explosive movement, the violent impact, and even the suggestion of the noise; it's all there! The fact that you have managed to reserve your focus only for the ball carrier is a stunning achievement ... I cannot imagine how you did that so convincingly (there must be some post-processing involved, but whatever you did, it's seamless). And of course you didn't overdo the grain - just enough for a 'documentary' impact. This photograph gets better the longer I look at it! One of my all-time favourite sports images. 10

Stefan
by bbright

Comment:
Very nice portrait of a terrific subject. I think the use of grain is particularly effective, because it creates a 'painterly' feel to the image which, combined with the simple woollen hat and tee shirt, somehow serves to accentuate the mesmerising eyes of the model. 7

Missing You
by toddhead

Comment:
This is an unusual and very appealing portrait. It's a 100% convincing depiction of the emotion expressed in the title. The composition, the crop, and the young man's bereft expression (especially as it's directed off-stage), all contribute to the success of the image, and so of course does the understated yet effective use of grain. 7

Boulevard
by jjbeguin

Comment:
Oh ... this is a wonderful photograph. It shows me what you mean by 'trained and enthusiastic eyes'. Alas, I suspect there's rather more to producing this than just training and enthusiasm. I tried to be a musician, many years ago ... I trained hard, and I was certainly enthusiastic, but my music was uninspired and mercifully I soon knew it and quit. This photograph, on the other hand, is sublime; the visual equivalent of Miles Davis. The inclusion of the towering gloom is bold and masterful - I'd probably have framed it half way down and made it just like my music.

Fallen Leaves
by e301

Comment:

Originally posted by jjbeguin: This is a realy fine picture both in form and content; I'm pleased and suprised to see it ranked so high.

What he said.

Times Square, 2005
by pawdrix

Comment:
So good to see you on the front page, Steve. One of the best 'real life' photographers on the site finally gets some recognition. I hope it will encourage some of the skimmers to have a closer look at your portfolio & see what documentary photography as art is about.

Contemplation
by e301

Comment:
Did not vote, nor even look at the entries. This is sublime, subtle and stylish and so wins my S-S-Special Hindsight Blue Ribbon (a very rare & quite worthless award). Surely the man in the overcoat is Richard Harris?