Let it snow ... Mono version

[billtils]

An edit of Image 3 with B&W conversion:

[lunarbo]

I really like this, stark as it is.

You've made something out of a pretty average colour snap by removing the flag and your conversion

[Shadowman]

Nice conversion.

[billtils]

Thanks Barbara and John.

Barbara - "stark" is exactly what I was trying to achieve.

[Manfred M]

Very interesting Bill. The two images have a completely different look and feel to them, although that should not surprise anyone.

Why did you decide to change the crop and remove the flag in this version?

[billtils]

Thanks for the feedback Manfred.

I cloned out the flag because to me it went from being the star of the scene in the colour version to a distraction in the mono, and I felt the balance of the composition was more compact without the left hand (as viewed) tree. Both edits (and the high key treatment) were part of the goal of simple and stark.

[Manfred M]

Thanks for the reply Bill. This version is much stronger than the colour one and I feel that the conversion, tighter crop and removing the flag all made the difference here. I'm not 100% convinced I like the frame though. I can see why you used one as it definitely keeps the viewer's eyes from wandering off the edge of the image, but somehow it seems to clash with the high-key look of the image.

[billtils]

Thanks for the reply Manfred. I think the frame helps in any digital image version (monitor or projection) for the reason you mention. However, I have a version ready to go for printing and that doesn't require or have a border.

[mugge]

The mono version is a stunner.
Cheers Ole