What’s Your Preference?

Markel253 · #1 (**permalink**) 11-15-2011, 03:52 PM

I generally don’t use Photoshop for special effects on my own photos. Having said that, I had a lot of time on my hands and wanted to see how this photo would benefit – if at all – from a little different look.

Here is the original, exactly as it came from the camera …

Aperture: F/5.6
Focal length: 55 mm
ISO: 400
Shutter: 1/1000 sec
Camera; Nikon D3100
©2011, Mark L. Fendrick

Then, in Photoshop I created a second layer with the original image. I then turned the bottom image to greyscale and created a mask on the top (color) image which allowed the greyscale image below to show through - except on the rose.

Still, I wasn't sure if I was happy with the image, so I cropped it quite radically and came up with this ...

I would love to hear your thoughts.

work2well · #2 (**permalink**) 11-15-2011, 05:08 PM

For me, stick to the original - if you could soften the background some more, and it would have been nicer, to have the flower larger in the composition.

Having a colour object in a b/w picture can look real nice, in the right setting.

Markel253 · #3 (**permalink**) 11-15-2011, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by work2well

For me, stick to the original - if you could soften the background some more, and it would have been nicer, to have the flower larger in the composition.

Having a colour object in a b/w picture can look real nice, in the right setting.

So you are saying that you prefer the original in-camera all color photo, or do you mean the middle one ... color flower on greyscale photo?

3Danes4me · #4 (**permalink**) 11-16-2011, 04:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Markel253

So you are saying that you prefer the original in-camera all color photo, or do you mean the middle one ... color flower on greyscale photo?

I have to be honest, I much prefer the original color

QuattroKiddos · #5 (**permalink**) 11-17-2011, 01:53 AM

I have to agree, I like the full color best.

Markel253 · #6 (**permalink**) 11-19-2011, 07:10 PM

Thanks for all the opinions.

I love how when it is shown to different groups, I get different opinions.

Of course, in the end I make the final determination but it does show me that I need to know my audience.

Bottom line is I am still not sure about which I like the best. Maybe that is telling me that I don't really like it as much as I thought originally.

I agree that the middle version does not "make it" for me either.

Strangely enough I am leaning towards the final form, which eliminates the castle completely. It does change the whole feel of the photo, (and I am a big Disney enthusiast), but right now that would be my pick.

Ever have that happen?

stang0011 · #7 (**permalink**) 11-23-2011, 01:16 PM

I like the original and the final. I can identify the Disney castle by the colors in the original even with the blur and I couldn't do that in the middle one.

abanakas · #8 (**permalink**) 11-23-2011, 05:22 PM

I agree with the others, the untouched version is the best. The shallow depth of field creates the same effect (in my opinion) as the greyscale mask. The focus is still on the rose, thus making it pop from the rest. Amazing capture, and I love it.