Thursday, June 11, 2009

Your opinion matters - Black & White or Color?

Approaching Storm, Bass Lake, Sierra National Forest, California 2009

Approaching Storm, Bass Lake,
Sierra National Forest, California 2009


6 sec at f/22, focal length: 17mm, ISO 50, Aperture Priority, 0 EV
- June 3, 2009 8:02pm PDT. Photographed with Canon EOS 5D Mark II, EF 17-40mm f/4L, Tripod Mounted



Something we've been doing at Bill' blog is posting both a color and black & white version to get some feed back from the readers. It's been constructive and interesting to see how others are perceiving the differences. So with that in mind, let us see what the mob has to say.

Click thru to see the black and white version

Approaching storm at sunset, Bass Lake, Sierra National Forest, California 2009

16 comments:

  1. definitely color. i like.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I like the color version. It's very monochromatic anyway and the hint of color at the horizon draws my eye into the frame.

    ReplyDelete
  3. B&W for me, let's me concentrate on the clouds and their reflection better

    ReplyDelete
  4. I like B&W on this scene because of the contrast and light. I think it depends on the landscape and mood of it.
    Iris

    ReplyDelete
  5. I find I am more drawn to color lately, and especially picky about b&w, but this image I prefer b&w... it definitely fits the mood, and I agree with Bartek, the concentration on the clouds/reflection is much stronger

    always good john :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. The colour photo is basically monochromatic already, which I guess makes it an obvoius candidate for B&W. Actually, I prefer the B&W one in this instance. Probably something to do with the overall mood and atmosphere that isn't quite there in the colour version, when compared side by side.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm mainly a color guy, but in this case the B&W is really speaking to me. Really brings out the textures in the rocks and clouds. Nice to have an image that works so well either way!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks everyone for joining in! I haven't added up the votes from other sites, such as onfacebook or twitter, but I think the BW version has pulled ahead. I'm still undecided, but honestly I think I'm leaning towards the color version. But what do I know? I can tell you though that it has been very helpful getting this feed back, as well as very flattering to have you all critically viewing my work. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I like the color version. My eye is led to that little patch of color in the background and provides a real center of interest. If anything I wish the overall color was a bit warmer but you can't have everything.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I'm with Bo, love them both for different reasons...but also agree with Peter-the bit of color just above the moutain really draws your eye and makes you feel the length of the lake- the BW loses that perspective point a bit.

    ReplyDelete
  11. There are wonderful reasons for loving both.
    The color blue is very cold which makes you feel the coolness of the water. The black and white one draws you into the picture and is very stark and clean looking. I like the feel of both of them, depending on what you want on your wall.

    ReplyDelete
  12. John, Bo, Mom and Shelley - Thanks for joining in! I've been getting a lot of good, useful feedback. Except, maybe Bo's :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. To be more precise, I do love the emotional qualities of the color, it brings to me a certain mood, and memories of similar places. But, the B&W for me has a deeper emotion to it, more melancholy, more of the feeling I would be feeling or looking for in a photograph.It makes me feel.

    ReplyDelete
  14. black and white...definately. evocative. what kirk said.

    ReplyDelete