The thing is, the mono stuff I get. It's the weird filter or action you are using on the coloured ones I don't figure at all. For me they do absolutely nothing for the picture, they don't help the picture say anything or do anything, they are just weird.
Go over to the monos and I understand where you are at. The pictures work so much better and it feels like the processing is doing something that impacts the viewer. The fuzzy dreadlocks guy is really interesting, a face absolutely chock full of character and the treatment is really powerful. I remember ones you did of him with this weird filter thing and it did absolutely nothing for me whatsoever yet this more basic treatment is excellent.
I would add very quickly here that this is entirely as I see the images. Other eyes will view them completely differently and that is the beauty of the creative arts. As Skip says, keep pushing the envelope and see which bits the stamp sticks to
Cheers,
Rob