Critique and Which One? Winter Tree at Sunset

[psykon99]

So which do you like better, the color version or the black and white version - and why? Or or both good? Critique is more than welcome too. BTW, took these earlier today. More to follow...

Here's the Black and White



Here's the Color

[bleaudoggie]

Personally I like the color one better. I generally like b/w better but there's something about the sky that I don't care for. I wish I could elaborate but I can't pinpoint what it is. However, I really like the tones in the sky on the color version.

[clockdoc]

I agree. I like the color version better in this case even though I am a big fan of black and white. I would consider cloning out the contrail streaks or whatever the lines are in the sky as the tend to distract rather than add value to the sky. Nice work!

[psykon99]

Originally Posted by clockdoc

I agree. I like the color version better in this case even though I am a big fan of black and white. I would consider cloning out the contrail streaks or whatever the lines are in the sky as the tend to distract rather than add value to the sky. Nice work!

I thought about cloning/healing out the streaks. At first I didn't because I thought it added texture to the sky. At your suggestion, I gave it a try, and I have to admit, I like it alot better. Here are the same images without the streaks:

[clockdoc]

Thanks for posting the reworked images. I look forward to seeing more of your work.

[windrider86]

I too really like the color but usually like the b & W

[min_is_3]

For me, I like the reworked B&W version better. It looks really moody and scary. I like the contrast between the dark and light areas in the sky. I especially like how the brightest part of the sky is behind the dark tree giving it a nice silhouette look to it. Or maybe that's just due to a stark contrast between the light sky and the dark tree but nonetheless, very cool effect. And the fact that the only detail of the tree that is discernible are the little branches radiating out from the ends of the bigger branches making it look like an artery with blood veins.

The color version doesn't seem to produce the same impact and the line of red color going across the picture just seems out of place and somewhat distracting for me. The blue sky is nice but the dark blue ground makes it a bit odd and then there is this big red thing going across the picture.

For me, the tree really stands out in the B&W version because you don't have these strange color oddities to distract it. So instead of a clear blue sky, you have this cool foggy look in the B&W along with this scary looking tree that is devoid of life (like a bird perched on it or leaves) and the lack of colors just adds to the void. Just my humble opinion.

Awesome picture. Something I wouldn't mind hanging on a wall.

[FrankenPengie]

This is a tough call. The color version has many ways it can be treated well. It also contains contrasts that make B&W conversion. Depending on how the treatment is done, I could go either way.

[acostica]

I agree with min_is_3 ...the B&W really makes the tree stand out and the red in the color version is a bit distracting to me because I'm not sure if I should be looking at the sunset or tree.. Beautiful shot !

[shamrock]

Originally Posted by bleaudoggie

Personally I like the color one better. I generally like b/w better but there's something about the sky that I don't care for. I wish I could elaborate but I can't pinpoint what it is. However, I really like the tones in the sky on the color version.

Same here the sky makes the capture