B & W or color ?

[susaan]

There is no snow over here,the only Santa I have seen,this year ,was a man dressed as a girl...just not the stuff of family greetings cards,so this is an attempt at something new to me.

Flower shots can be a tad boring,so waited until they wilted some,to try to get a lot of texture,tried all angles...still came back to front on.

Not the same shot,but would you go with the B & W,or color,
why,and how could I improve it ?
Thanks !

[Frog]

They've both got something going for them but I guess I'd choose the color.

[mindikollphotos]

I like them both, but the one in color is definitely more eye catching. I would almost frame that and hang it on a wall.

[GB1]

Susaan - They're both nice but there is just so much detail here, it's almost depressing! Nice background and contrast. You did your part well.

G

[susaan]

Ho ho ho,will suit my family members in the UK,just fine....

mindikollphotos,thanks !

BG1,could re-editing to more softness help ?

I'll re-shoot,next week,trying fresher flowers,different style..determined to get a good non-boring flower shot.

[GB1]

BG1,could re-editing to more softness help ?

Don't know.. I like sharp photos but with flowers the jury is still out. The shot is so sharp that it looks more like an archeological artifact display.

[Frog]

How'd my post get on top of yours?

[susaan]

How'd my post get on top of yours?

Seniority ???

[Shebang]

The color one is my preference. I love flower shots and these are beautiful. The detail, clarity, drama, composition, "complex simplicity" (if that makes any sense to you) all make for a stunning picture to me.

I posted my very first, very amateur Purple Passion yesterday. I look at your photo and I could be inclined to quit...

HOWEVER, I will continue and hope one day to accomplish what you have! Beautiful!!

[gahspidy]

Susaan, the lighting on these are outstanding.Both are very good. I go with the b&w on this choice with no reservations. The tones and contrasts and detail on the b&w are incredibly pleasing. They are lost a bit on the color version, and the color do not add very much for me.
the b&w just screams "fine art" and elegance. The tones and detail just entertain me more deeply in the b&w .

[Ron Kruger]

I thought I liked the color better, then the B/W, then the color, then the B/W and finally settled on the color. The tonal range of the color, I think, actually gives it more detail and contrast.

[jetrim]

Sussan, gotta say I love both of them! The detail is fantastic in the B&W and the color is very pleasing to the eye in the color version. Out of curiosity, have you tried desaturating by maybe half? I'd be curious to see the result, it might bring out the best of both in one image.

[susaan]

Shebang,
I saw your post,liked it,but let the more experienced help you out, critique is hard for me,but an important part of the process of learning.
-any improvement from my first posts has a lot to do with keeping coming back here.

Gahspidy,
-Thank you,for commenting,encouraging and moderating.

Ron Kruger,
I also prefer the B&W.

jetrim,
Have tried it,not yet happy with the results..

[PRB]

And see, I've got a place in my bedroom for the black and white and a place in the hallway for the color --- they are BOTH most excellent. I wouldn't change a thing on either, they simply need printing out.

[LeeIs]

They're both good. I prefer the black and white though. love the tones.

[draymorton]

Sophie's choice. I can't decide. Both are gorgeous.

[Shebang]

I welcome all input, so please do feel free to offer any opinions or critiques any time if you are inclined.

I am the least qualified poster on this forum to be offering a critique, but the process is making me really look, and the input from others is invaluable.

Your level is what I am striving for!

[susaan]

GB1,it was an experiment,trying to find new ways to show off the local flowers-using the sharper setting on my camera,as it has no "fine" setting.
It does something odd,like over-compresses jpgs,and I tend to come out with soft images..
-I like the weirdness,not intentional while shooting, but now know how to get it.


PRB,most encouraging,coming from you !

LeeIs,B&W it is,thanks.

Shebang,will look out for your posts,-but also a beginner,still at the "getting lucky" sometimes stage-the mark of really arriving,would be to know exactly why and how on every shot,and passing that,to get the feeling across.

-Critique is also a skill to be learned,
and I'm working on it.

[Greg McCary]

I say color. That is my final answer. LOL Great work either way you go.......

[susaan]

Its great to get critique that differs strongly-used to confuse heck out of me !

Greg- NOW you have me changing my mind,again.

GB1- my new icon/card was inspired by you.

[Basil T]

Im leaning towards B+W but both photos are great - well done

[susaan]

Thanks and Merry Christmas one and all !

Jetrim,
I ended up doing multiple versions for my greetings cards,cos not all my friends/relatives are celebrating the same festival -used your suggestion,to "pretty up" for the more conservative generation...the "young fogies ".

[isnapshots]

i like either, nice shots

[yairh20]

They are both great pictures, but i would try an Orton effect.