Old door: color, B&W, or neither

[DanK]

Before going further with this, I thought I would ask for feedback. Better in color or B&W? Not enough there for either? If I keep in in B&W, I'll probably do more work on it, e.g., adding more structure in Silver Efex.

Thanks for any feedback.

[Craigie]

It is a hard choice, both are good images. Though I do just prefer the colour version.
Just a small point on the B&W image, the stem of the leave gets a bit lost against the door.

[tao2]

Hi Dan,

Ah shoot mostly B+W and would normally lean tae that but the colour version is definitely better - IMO. The leaf is lost in the B+W, and it "looks" like a conversion...try adding a wee bit grain tae the B+W. Best way ah can describe it, is ...it looks digital

[AlwaysOnAuto]

I'd re-shoot it without the leaf for the b&w.
I like the color better as I see in color most of the time.

[Shadowman]

Nice capture and processing.

[Urbanflyer]

I quite like the B & W--need more PP work but I think, with that, it is an interesting image. I think White point needs to be adjusted and clarity applied, then some dodging on the leaf and burning in the stem. Really about 5 minutes worth of work. Thanks for posting!

--for the color to work for me the leaf needs more saturation.

[mknittle]

In this case I like the color version better.
Judith has some good points.

[Mike Buckley]

For me, the leaf really makes the image. So, if it was my image, I would go with a monochrome treatment. My goal would be to have a door that is a darker grey tone than in your version, a tone that is easily differentiated between the black paint on the metal and the bright leaf. I would accomplish that by darkening the green tone before converting to monochrome and I would convert using a green filter. The result is that the leaf becomes the subject and everything else plays a supporting role.

[Urbanflyer]

For me, the leaf really makes the image. So, if it was my image, I would go with a monochrome treatment. My goal would be to have a door that is a darker grey tone than in your version, a tone that is easily differentiated between the black paint on the metal and the bright leaf. I would accomplish that by darkening the green tone before converting to monochrome and I would convert using a green filter. The result is that the leaf becomes the subject and everything else plays a supporting role.

Mike, interesting thoughts. My version would brighten the door--I used curves on the B & W to darken the door and that worked too.--So interesting how different aesthetics look at a single image.

[proseak]

"...the leaf really makes the image" which makes me think of keeping it in colour, making the rest B&W

[Mike Buckley]

So interesting how different aesthetics look at a single image.

Yes, a very enjoyable observation.

My version would brighten the door

The reason that wouldn't be my choice is that our eye tends to gravitate first to the brightest tones in a scene. That explains why I would want the leaf, not the door, to have the brightest tones.

Anyone who places less importance on the role of the leaf in the image than I do would understandably make different decisions than me about making the image.

[Mike Buckley]

"...the leaf really makes the image" which makes me think of keeping it in colour, making the rest B&W

That would also work. However, it would work more effectively in my mind if the leaf was digitally altered rather dramatically to display some brilliant autumn colors rather than the plain brown color in the current version. EDIT: I also think that technique would improve the version of the image that is fully in color.

Having said that, be aware that I'm rather ignorant about images made using selective color. I don't have much experience viewing or making images that way. In fact, out of my 15,000 images, I've made exactly six using selective color and only five of them were made that way of my own volition.

[Urbanflyer]

I agree the leaf is important and should be brighter than the door. That is still possible with a lighter door. How many options to play with!

[Wavelength]

Excellent pair; i like both of them as such

[DanK]

Thanks for all the comments. A lot for me to think about. BTW, in doing the conversion, I lightened the green a good bit to get more tonal range. Maybe not the best decision. That particular oak leaf just happened to be there.

[NorthernFocus]

B/W, that's a horrid shade of green.

[Kaye Leggett]

I like the balck and white - the texture of the paint on the door and patterns within it are clearer. BTW, I didn't notice the leaf until I read the previous comments

[vaez]

Very very nice ohoto

[Spam]

I'm not really in any position to be giving advice on photography, especially when it comes to colour, but I've found myself pondering the same dilemma a number of times. What I sometimes resort to is a mix of both (especially if the colours are quite garish). I take the colour version, convert it to black & white, then layer them with the B&W on top and change the opacity.

Love the pic, by the way. The leaf looks like it wants to be free.

[DanK]

Thanks. Much more to think about. Today I walked by again, and this time I picked up a nice red maple leaf to replace the boring oak leaf that happened to be there. I agree, it isn't a very pleasant shade of green. Will play more when I have the time, using some of these excellent suggestions. Will post if I produce something worth posting.