;-) Heh heh, just kidding. I'm torn between 3 and 5 as my favorite. I really like the contact we have in 3, but that natural expression in 5 is marvelous. It's good to see Sam, while I've never met him personally, I think a lot of us kinda feel like we know him, because of all his posts and goofyness. It's kinda weird to see him without making some cornball face. It's also good to see that you are still shooting and sharing, I had a feeling we'd see more from you, even after changing professions :-)
Nice!! knowing Sam, number 1 and 5 seem to be the best representation of his character. Though in 1 I wish he were looking straight at me instead of a bit over me.
The color in these (the color ones obviously ) is seriously amazing.
I really like Sam's expression and love the lighting. Natural light thanks to north facing window?
However the classical portrait in me gnaws my mind at Sam's right arm being decapitated in #1 & #5.
#2 works because the composition is partly anchored by his left hand. I'm just not sure if he's contemplating on something or maybe he has an itch.
I like them all for one reason or another. They seem to each convey something different in each shot.
I am going to go against the grain and say 1 and 3 are my favorites, with 3 being my absolute. If I had to pick a least favorite for me it's #4, I think it's his hands/posture/camera angle together that bother me in that shot, but everything else I like a lot.
I agree with Tony that #1 is the most "Sam".
I dont care for shots of "face on the hands" etc. especially with guys. this is not to say these are not well done I just think they are way over the top IMO.
) is seriously amazing.