Is there a clear winner, or are they both good for different reasons?

[artsgirl]

You know how when you stare at something you've created, and suddenly you just can't separate yourself from it anymore and get some perspective? That's me right now. I got a bunch of new plug-ins for Photoshop and I've been starting to play with a few, and I came up with a couple of pretty cool (IMHO) edits on this shot.

I started with a single JPEG and used Lightroom to create three different exposures so I could do some HDR work first. I did some basic tone-mapping, and then started playing with filters in the Topaz Plug-In Suite.

Here are the two I like best so far. Does one seem to work better in conjunction with the overall composition, the subject matter, etc? Or do they both work equally well for different reasons?

[digirebelva]

Offhand, I would say the color works better as there is to little contrast in the b&w which makes it kind of bland compared to the color one

[Hartzler]

I prefer the color version in this instance. Both are excellent, but I think color enhances the Christmas feel of this holiday street scene.

[kgb224]

I like the color version more.

[jujitsu1]

I prefer the colour one also.

[KansaiGreenie]

Just to chime in with the chorus....

I like the color image better. It is warmer and has a more inviting feel to it.

KG

[Buddhanature]

I prefer the second photo. I think the first one is too warm, and it doesn't look like a photo that needs to look warm. The streaks of rain/snow and the snow on the ground contrast nicely with the cheerful holiday lights on the trees. The second photo helps me to feel the cold weather and wind, and makes me want to be inside.