Color or BW (Page 2): Color, but it is close.

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Color, but it is close.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

I love B&W images. But in this case I find the color version the better of the two.

I think it's because the color version does a better job delineating foreground from middle ground from background. In the B&W version they all just sort of blend together. For example, notice how the top of the old wheel tonalities are similar to the distant hills behind it. It's the same with the bush on the right.

It might be possible to do some selective dodging and burning to improve the B&W. But as they sit right now, the color helps define the fore, middle and background better to give greater sense of three-dimensionality and depth. To me it seems the color version is more encouraging to look around and explore the different elements with my eyes, while nothing really stands out in the B&W and I'm not sure where to look.

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

DickC wrote:

And I feel the opposite.

That's OK. There's plenty of room here for different opinions. But I'm right!

DickC Loc: NE Washington state

Retired CPO wrote:

That's OK. There's plenty of room here for different opinions. But I'm right!

I suppose your right in your own mind, but not every one else's.

Cany143 Loc: SE Utah

amfoto1 wrote:

I love B&W images. But in this case I find the... (show quote)

It seems that you and I are in general agreement, overall, but I can think of better methods that mitigate or 'improve' some of the issues we both pointed out. None of those, however, would include dodging or burning in their typical application. Those other methods might include the pinpointed use of hard edged selections or copied and masked layers --or a combination of the two-- ultimately blended together using different modes or levels of opacity, the intent being that in so doing, the goal would be to 'highlight' (or visually accentuate) select areas in either image at hand. But to do so would more a matter of 'this is the software I use and what its (or my) capabilities are' than is generally accepted in a Gallery post. Too often, comments say more about the ME who's commenting than they do about the IMAGE, which they're no longer addressing.

daldds Loc: NYC

Hey guys, here’s how it went. Took shot August 2, adjusted a bit in LR, then used PS on the wheel, looked at the image and wondered how it would look in black-and-white, thought “I’ll ask the hogs which looks better,“ used NIK’s wet rocks with a little bit of stronger structure, and put both in the forum.
I did not realize it would generate a major discussion.

Life is good!

BrentHarder Loc: Southern California

daldds wrote:

I was in Torrey, Utah in early August during their weird “monsoon” season. Another storm was forming as I finished dinner.
NIK “wet rocks” with modifications.
Notice how the black and white delineates the rain bands in the approaching storm.
There is no right or wrong to my questions: which do you like better, and why?

papamuski

The sky is more dramatic in B&B, but the line between the sky and the mountain seems artificial. I love the B&W wheel, rocks, and dead tree in the foreground, but the cliffs are a little too bright.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

daldds wrote:

I was in Torrey, Utah in early August during their weird “monsoon” season. Another storm was forming as I finished dinner.
NIK “wet rocks” with modifications.
Notice how the black and white delineates the rain bands in the approaching storm.
There is no right or wrong to my questions: which do you like better, and why?

Color
For the same reasons that Bob gave

mvetrano2 Loc: Commack, NY

Color

sodapop Loc: Bel Air, MD

Apples and Oranges. Both look great to me in their own way

DickC Loc: NE Washington state

sodapop wrote:

Apples and Oranges. Both look great to me in their own way

I agree sir, 'The eye of the beholder', I just prefer B&W!

Wes Loc: Dallas

I'm beginning to agree with my art instructors. A Texan, I had always preferred color, but this black and white here is the epitome of the old west. This may be the first black and white I've preferred. Great job.

DickC Loc: NE Washington state

Wes wrote:

I'm beginning to agree with my art instructors. A Texan, I had always preferred color, but this black and white here is the epitome of the old west. This may be the first black and white I've preferred. Great job.

I agree with you 100%!!

StanMac Loc: Tennessee

daldds wrote:

I was in Torrey, Utah in early August during their weird “monsoon” season. Another storm was forming as I finished dinner.
NIK “wet rocks” with modifications.
Notice how the black and white delineates the rain bands in the approaching storm.
There is no right or wrong to my questions: which do you like better, and why?

I like the B&W best - it’s a more dramatic image, IMO. That said, the color is a very good image. I can see either one in a nice size hanging on my wall.

Stan