Vote for Your Favorite Artist!

I've been refining a new lighting style, a "harder" light than I've used before, one with more contrast, more "snap." When the art director at Minnesota Monthly saw the look in my portfolio, he requested it for a photo essay on local rising stars in the arts scene. (The issue, October, is out on newsstands now.)

We're taking a survey here at Treleven -- of the seven shots that follow, which portrait is the best? I'm really pleased with the entire series; I feel it's among the best work I've done yet. But if I had to choose, I like the gray palette in actor Namir Smallwood's alley shot. A recent art director friend voted for violinist Steven Copes' portrait outside Nina's coffee shop.

I'd love to know what you think! Just leave your vote in the comments section. Your choices (in order of appearance): the comedian, the actor, the singer, the actress, the painter, the dancer, or the violinist.