Green or Black?

[mjs1973]

I'm trying to decide which of these two images I like best. There are things I like and things I don't like about each. I'm up in the air. Which do you prefer, and why?

[CLKunst]

Hi Mike!

Does it really have to be one or the other?

The general composition is similar but there's such a change in mood between the two exposures. I'd make prints of both and alternate copies to display on a given weekend, I think you'll find both very popular.

Green is yummy! I like the colors and LOVE the flow! The DOF would almost be too shallow except I really like the delicacy of the petal edges and reflection and that's what selective DOF is meant to really show off.

Black is serene contemplation. I like the perfect details, the backlighting and the sense of depth I get from the darkness.

[Shebang]

I voted green. I like the softness and the color.

[Dylan8i]

black for me. i saw this one in the nature thread, and thought it was by far the best one in that thread. GOOD JOB.

[A.M.D.A.]

My initial impression was that green is a *bit* better. Not much better--both are AWESOME!

I also like the colour softness in #1, but I think I'll go with black as my personal favourite of the two. Love the contrast between white-black... the way the flower "stands out". Also the lighting is nice, as if there was a light inside the flower.

Great work!

[opus]

I like green, because it is soft and peaceful and reminds me of a spa. I could get a massage under that picture. Black is a little more lively, and therefore I can't imagine where it would be used. Maybe a coffee shop. But I don't see it having the same emotional impact, which is why I picked green.

[gahspidy]

Green all the way. Much more texture to appreciate and softness, color, just delightful and tranquil.

[Franglais]

Green. I Can't see any detail in the right hand side of the black image which makes that whole half empty. The subject on the left is too far over for the image to look balanced

[Didache]

I know I am in a minority here, but the softness of the flower in the green one really bothers me. On the other hand, the subject (flower) in the black one is bright and sharp.

Mike

[Anbesol]

Very very green, definitely green. The image is softer, yet the waves of the water add very pleasant detail. the black - the contrast is too harsh, the detail is crushed, and the softness is gone. The flower in green also doesn't completely fill the dof - the back half of it transition out of focus, which I very much prefer, it sort of combined the subject with the backdrop in a very gradual sense, in the black it feels very much like 2 things.

So how the heck did you do this? Where did you find this? Great timing, great lighting! I really like it. Did you just stop it way down for the second or did you change anything else?

[draymorton]

I like both, but prefer the green.

[OldClicker]

I much prefer the black, though I would prefer it somewhat lighter (of course, very difficult to do due to the variation of monitors). I would lighten it as much as the front of the flower could stand.

The green turns the flower green. For me, it needs to be white or the 'golden' of the early morning or late evening.

I did a fast copy & paste of the black flower on the green BG and still prefer the black.

TF

[jaypoc]

Wow, The two really are very diffierent pictures. I like the green. It's softer and portrays peacefullness and tranquility while the black one seems to represent more loneliness or isolation. Depending on the mood your going for, I think either would work.

[Greg McCary]

I like the green of the first and the sharpness of the black, both are great but if I had to chose I would say black.

[CaraRose]

I like the softness of the green but have been trying to figure out why it bothers me... it's the reflection. Some of the petals that are soft in the flower are sharper in reflection. It feels unnatural.

It is a very soft and dreamy feeling, but I still go black.

[Anbesol]

Wow, looks like a dead heat...

[stephljones]

green is my favorite color...and that one is just beautiful. i like the detail. the water reflecting the flower, which looks like a magnolia??? Since i am from the southern us, i do love my magnolias!!

but...i really like the black also. i love the emptiness of the right side...like that flower is the only thing in the world.

either one...they are both really great!

[mjs1973]

WOW, thanks so much everyone for taking the time to comment and vote. Between the comments and the votes, it seems I'm not the only one who is having a hard time picking one of these over the other. My wife prefers the green, but I'm leaning towards the black. The close vote and all of the comments stand to reinforce what I have been thinking about both of these images.

I did order 8x12's of both of these on metallic paper. I can't wait to see what the prints look like.

Thanks again everyone who voted and commented already. Anyone else have an opinion on these two images?

[jetrim]

I'm with CLKunst, and it seems you are as well! Print them both and hang as a set!

[gracie_r]

50/50 - we aren't much help are we?

I really liked the green, until I scrolled down to the black. Once I saw the black, the green looked fake to me (so I voted black).

[mjs1973]

I just want to say thanks again for everyone who took the time to vote, and/or comment on these two images. As of right now, there is only 1 vote (21 people voted) separating the two images. The great thing about having to pick between these two images is that I don't have to pick. I can have them both. Thanks again everyone!

[LeeIs]

Green, easily for me. imo. not even close. ooops, i made it in to 50/50 again. lol

[tayl0124]

I voted green because the black one looks too dark to me, however both are nice. In the black one I would like to see the flower be a little brighter, to balance out the overall darkness of the picture.