katu41

This morning my wife looked at a photo hanging in my office and commented that it could have been done better. I took the photo of the inside pool at the Hearst Castle more than 10 years ago when my photo skills were primitive. While my skills are somewhat improved, given the back lighting of the large windows, I am not sure I could have done much better.

A few weeks ago I was working on old photos for conversion to black and white and decided I wanted to see what the old Hearst pool photo would look like in black and white. I found the photo and showed it to my wife. Her comments of the old photo were quite negative. I agreed that lacking color totally changed the faithful reproduction of the space. However, B&W also opened up detail that I could not find in the original photo. (I thought the enhanced reflection was quite cool.) My wife found the reflection of the water very confusing and the black and white line distracted from the subject. What!

After 5 minutes of fruitless arguing, I have decided to leave it to the Hoggs to make a few comments on the merits, or lack thereof, of each photo. Given the difficult lighting of the images, I know this photo is not ideal. That said, I need some help in settling our dispute.

Original Photo with Processing

(Download)

B&W Conversion

(Download)

Terrymac Loc: LONDON U.K.

I prefer it in b/w. Just saying. Thanks.

Bykewrydr Loc: Alberta

Call me chicken but I ain't going there ... I like them both

katu41

You are the first to weigh in. My wife was not impressed with you comment (well intentioned as it may be). She has her opinion and short of an endorsement from Ansel Adams I don't think it is going to change.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Don't want to get between you and your wife. I agree with her only on the Black and White. It is dull and lacks contrast. However I believe the color version is excellent.

katu41

I don't need diplomacy I need people to take sides. This is war.

katu41

Stan, I thought you had my back. I'll go back and see if I can find the missing contrast.

Bykewrydr Loc: Alberta

after 62 years of marriage I learned one thing quit when your still even

gtheodore Loc: Fort Collins CO

Stick with the color version

Bykewrydr Loc: Alberta

after 62 years of marriage I learned on thing ... quit while your still even

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

I think the exposure on the B&W with the reflection is very engaging. I do not care for the crop, but nothing is perfect, and I have been in that room, which is difficult to photograph given the access and time constraints placed on tour groups.

OBTW, just up the coast is the pier where Hurst landed and stored his purchased artworks and material before it goes up to the house. I was in the process of shooting a panorama of the remains of the pier and the beach when my Wife says another angle would be better.

I reached into my bag, pulled out my Sony RX100M4, handed it to her and said, "go ahead, show me."

GreyOwl40 Loc: Quebec City

I carefully examined both and decided to become your wife's ally. I think that you will lose this battle, maybe even the war.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

The color photo has the same potential as the black and white photo. It just needs to be processed adequately.
--Bob

Bykewrydr Loc: Alberta

WOW JUST GIVE IN BUY HER A DOZON ROSES AND FOR GET IT YOU LOSE DOESN'T MATTER WHAT HAPPENS

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

So easy! Look at your wife and say, "I could have done better." With the right expression on your face, she'll get the meaning.

"After 5 minutes of fruitless arguing..." Is there any other kind?

If you're keeping score, I prefer the color version.