peterm1
Veteran
During this weekend I made some photos at a local food market and processed some of them in both black and white and in color. I have had this problem before: While I pretty much like both versions, I am interested in others' views on which versions work best to their eyes.
The colors are pretty sumptuous so they seem to work fine from that viewpoint. But so are the tones pretty good. So B/W works too. Needless to say the pretty subject helps greatly too. As usual with me, I played around in post as I am much more interested in artistic feel and emotional impact than in veracity or technical perfection in the imagery.
To a disinterested observer though which have most emotional impact? Honest feedback appreciated. Thanks.
OR
OR
OR
The colors are pretty sumptuous so they seem to work fine from that viewpoint. But so are the tones pretty good. So B/W works too. Needless to say the pretty subject helps greatly too. As usual with me, I played around in post as I am much more interested in artistic feel and emotional impact than in veracity or technical perfection in the imagery.
To a disinterested observer though which have most emotional impact? Honest feedback appreciated. Thanks.
OR
OR
OR
raid
Dad Photographer
Hi Peter. I prefer images 1 and 3 in B&W while image 2 looks better in color for me. I am not used to B&W images but this is what I am seeing here.
Some extra PS touches may make the decisions easier.
Some extra PS touches may make the decisions easier.
ellisson
Well-known
I prefer the color versions of all the images. Most of the color content in these photos is limited to her skin, clothes (especially the nice red of her apron) and headwear. It provides contrast against the out of focus, blue-tinted background, which does not create distraction away from the lovely subject.
When background colors overwhelm, I often prefer monochrome. Alternatively, I desaturate the background in post.
When background colors overwhelm, I often prefer monochrome. Alternatively, I desaturate the background in post.
Bob Michaels
nobody special
Peter: Whenever someone asks for an opinion such as this, my first question is how they will respond to the comments. Most time I tend to not respond for this very reason. You are one of the few that I think can really deal with the responses.
You have a unique post processing technique with the reduced color saturation, lowered contrast, or whatever you do. It really suits your style. In fact, it defines it. That seems to really blur the difference between a color photo and a monochrome one to my eye. The differences from you post processing are subtle technically but the viewer impact is significant.
After much viewing and thought I tend to favor the color but that is a bit of a 51/49 decision. That is based on your post processing working better with color simply because it has more difference than monochrome.
I will also add that the negative scratches and scum at the bottom of the third frame are not up to your normal perfection standards. I wouldn't say that to 99% of the posters here but you can accept it.
You have a unique post processing technique with the reduced color saturation, lowered contrast, or whatever you do. It really suits your style. In fact, it defines it. That seems to really blur the difference between a color photo and a monochrome one to my eye. The differences from you post processing are subtle technically but the viewer impact is significant.
After much viewing and thought I tend to favor the color but that is a bit of a 51/49 decision. That is based on your post processing working better with color simply because it has more difference than monochrome.
I will also add that the negative scratches and scum at the bottom of the third frame are not up to your normal perfection standards. I wouldn't say that to 99% of the posters here but you can accept it.
xmas_one
Established
I think that they both look great. I hardly ever shoot color and have a strong bias towards b&w, so much so the only digital M I use is a M9M. In this case though, I think the mood of the subject is better conveyed with a color image.
lynnb
Veteran
Hi Peter, I like the bw but prefer the colour for the same reasons given by ellisson.
BTW it would be easier to compare if the images were smaller so they could be viewed at the same time on a monitor. As it is I had to scroll up and down a lot.
BTW it would be easier to compare if the images were smaller so they could be viewed at the same time on a monitor. As it is I had to scroll up and down a lot.
CMur12
Veteran
Hi Peter.
I prefer the color versions, especially in sets 1 and 3.
In the monochrome versions of sets 1 and 3, the skin tone of the model is too close to that of the large object in the background, so the model doesn't stand out as well as she should. That uniformity of gray tone (between the model's face and the object in the background) also reduces the sense of depth in these images.
Even without the background distraction, I think the model stands out better in color set 2, as well, though I think this one is the most successful monochrome image of the three.
I also find the muted color as more successful and more representative of your excellent photographic work.
- Murray
I prefer the color versions, especially in sets 1 and 3.
In the monochrome versions of sets 1 and 3, the skin tone of the model is too close to that of the large object in the background, so the model doesn't stand out as well as she should. That uniformity of gray tone (between the model's face and the object in the background) also reduces the sense of depth in these images.
Even without the background distraction, I think the model stands out better in color set 2, as well, though I think this one is the most successful monochrome image of the three.
I also find the muted color as more successful and more representative of your excellent photographic work.
- Murray
Moto-Uno
Moto-Uno
It's simple , they're both gorgeous ! Peter
helen.HH
To Light & Love ...
In general I usually prefer b&w but in this setting
the ‘Color’ work is more Appealing, has more subtleties, catches the eye and draws the viewer closer
the ‘Color’ work is more Appealing, has more subtleties, catches the eye and draws the viewer closer
raid
Dad Photographer
I like both. Peter has a special way of seeing things in his images.
nickthetasmaniac
Veteran
raid
Dad Photographer
It is difficult to see things clearly on a computer monitor or phone screen.
Ko.Fe.
Lenses 35/21 Gears 46/20
First two, one image has quality. Rest four are for garbage bin snaps.
Not sure why it is in wnw.
Not sure why it is in wnw.
peterm1
Veteran
Thank you very much everyone for your inputs to date. More please if others wish to contribute. I value every one of your opinions - one of the nice things about this forum is that people are knowledgeable and skilled in their own photography and nice to interact with. But we are all different too in preferences, style, approach, interests etc.
As some would already know ( because I keep banging on about it
) I generally shoot in color then process my images and only some (a relative few) make it to black and white. But mostly I like color (or my interpretation of color) and only the images that for one reason or another do not look right in color will be processed as a monochrome.
But when I took these pictures, though I liked them very much in color (especially the young lady's beautiful skin and her head scarf and red braces) but I could see that the images would probably look as well or better in black and white. This was very unusual for me. I must admit I have pretty much put this down to one thing and one thing only - the lovely rendering of the Olympus 75mm f1.8. But it left me in a bit of a bind in that I had color shots I liked and black and white ones I liked too. Which is what set me thinking - how will others react to these. Will they like one over the other or both. Or neither. Everyone is different in their preferences.
It is nice that people seem to like my work in general but I am serious when I say I am completely prepared for the fact that some may not. Personal taste in imagery is a very personal thing. For me, I mainly shoot to please myself. If someone finds an image or my entire style unappealing and not to their taste, I am a big boy and have no problems with that. (And Bob thank you for noticing that about me I try to keep my ego in check in such matters).
As Lynn says I do think that the color in these is especially nice (again - the subject and the lens?) but I do think my preference towards color in these shots is probably 51/49 in my case as Bob Michaels says.
Some (CMur12) have pointed out that the tones in some black and white images are very close between the skin tones and the background. True. I have been experimenting with more soft mid tones lately when I produce black and white rather than harsher high contrast tones which is often popular amongst street photographers. This is not due to me failing to adjust tones when I convert to mono, but rather is a considered approach because I am looking for a new "softer" style that mimics the low contrast rendering of early and mid 2th century photos. But I will think more about this issue going forward and how to handle it better (I tend to rely quite a bit on vignettes and bokeh to differentiate and while this can work beautifully maybe I am overdoing it sometimes). But photography is an adventure and it's about learning and I am constantly experimenting with refining my approach or with discovering new styles to find something that works for me.
As some would already know ( because I keep banging on about it
) I generally shoot in color then process my images and only some (a relative few) make it to black and white. But mostly I like color (or my interpretation of color) and only the images that for one reason or another do not look right in color will be processed as a monochrome. But when I took these pictures, though I liked them very much in color (especially the young lady's beautiful skin and her head scarf and red braces) but I could see that the images would probably look as well or better in black and white. This was very unusual for me. I must admit I have pretty much put this down to one thing and one thing only - the lovely rendering of the Olympus 75mm f1.8. But it left me in a bit of a bind in that I had color shots I liked and black and white ones I liked too. Which is what set me thinking - how will others react to these. Will they like one over the other or both. Or neither. Everyone is different in their preferences.
It is nice that people seem to like my work in general but I am serious when I say I am completely prepared for the fact that some may not. Personal taste in imagery is a very personal thing. For me, I mainly shoot to please myself. If someone finds an image or my entire style unappealing and not to their taste, I am a big boy and have no problems with that. (And Bob thank you for noticing that about me I try to keep my ego in check in such matters).
As Lynn says I do think that the color in these is especially nice (again - the subject and the lens?) but I do think my preference towards color in these shots is probably 51/49 in my case as Bob Michaels says.
Some (CMur12) have pointed out that the tones in some black and white images are very close between the skin tones and the background. True. I have been experimenting with more soft mid tones lately when I produce black and white rather than harsher high contrast tones which is often popular amongst street photographers. This is not due to me failing to adjust tones when I convert to mono, but rather is a considered approach because I am looking for a new "softer" style that mimics the low contrast rendering of early and mid 2th century photos. But I will think more about this issue going forward and how to handle it better (I tend to rely quite a bit on vignettes and bokeh to differentiate and while this can work beautifully maybe I am overdoing it sometimes). But photography is an adventure and it's about learning and I am constantly experimenting with refining my approach or with discovering new styles to find something that works for me.
DwF
Well-known
Peter,
To preface my comment, I get that you are needing distance from your canvas hence this exercise.
I generally feel that if color for some or any reason enhances the core of what the image is about, it should be a color image. I really like the way your desaturation woks on some of your other imagery more than what I see in this particular set. I respond quickly to everything that needs to be said in the B&W renditions as you presented them here.
Additionally the desaturation in your processing (I loved reading Bob Michaels post and description above is for me more effective as a technique for color images, so I would prefer to see these B&Ws with more contrast and wider palette myself. Having said that, and I see above you even addressed that, your technique also sets you apart here in a positive way, so I hope but also imagine you'll factor that in!
Cheers,
David
To preface my comment, I get that you are needing distance from your canvas hence this exercise.
I generally feel that if color for some or any reason enhances the core of what the image is about, it should be a color image. I really like the way your desaturation woks on some of your other imagery more than what I see in this particular set. I respond quickly to everything that needs to be said in the B&W renditions as you presented them here.
Additionally the desaturation in your processing (I loved reading Bob Michaels post and description above
is for me more effective as a technique for color images, so I would prefer to see these B&Ws with more contrast and wider palette myself. Having said that, and I see above you even addressed that, your technique also sets you apart here in a positive way, so I hope but also imagine you'll factor that in!Cheers,
David
traveler_101
American abroad
Colour distracts; it takes the eye away from form. I agree that these are nice colour images, but for the most part I prefer to concentrate my vision on her face, whereas colour pulls me into the ambience of a scene. Number 1 is particular effective in b&w.
Richard G
Veteran
Colour. That head scarf is much easier to enjoy and then dismiss in colour. The black and white makes it too much of a feature, paradoxically, as the tones are more contrasted and it seems like content to be interpreted.
Out to Lunch
Ventor
For these pics, color. They really pop. In the b&w versions there is too little contrast between the subject and the background... a bit too blurry and hazy. Thanks for sharing! OtL
joe bosak
Well-known
As large images in their own right, I preferred colour in the first image and b&w in the other two, especially the third.
First image generates a shared, empathic feeling of the warmth and light. The other two are more observational - a passing snap in the second, and quite a close portrait of a quiet moment in the third.
As smaller images on a web page surrounded by text, colour is more striking.
First image generates a shared, empathic feeling of the warmth and light. The other two are more observational - a passing snap in the second, and quite a close portrait of a quiet moment in the third.
As smaller images on a web page surrounded by text, colour is more striking.
narsuitus
Well-known
All the images are good.
I prefer the skin tones in the color images.
I prefer the head scarf in the black and white images.
I love the model in all the images.
I prefer the skin tones in the color images.
I prefer the head scarf in the black and white images.
I love the model in all the images.