Horse, difficult choice

[bje07]

I processed color version, then monochrome one and finally I inverted the background and obtained the third one.
Now I don't know which to choose.
Could you help me to do so.

1-

2-

3-

[Rufus]

I prefer the colour version because the limited colour palette gives a cohesive feel to the image and the colours are pleasing, albeit unusual.

The blac and white would be my second preference, but it does not seem to work quiite as well, perhaps because of a lack of blacks.

The inverted image has more blacks looks as though a flash had been used without exposing for the background. The contrast between the subject and background is just too great for my taste.

These are just my thoughts. It will be interesting to see what others think and which one you ultimately favour.

[xpatUSA]

I prefer No. 3 because of the increased contrast between the subject and the background, an almost surreal appearance.

[bje07]

Thank you David for your comments.

[Geoff F]

For me:

I like the lighting on the horse in #1 but the very bright background light is a bit distracting on the right side.

#2 works fine.

#3 is looking rather unnatural with that dense black; a bit like an obvious cut and paste job, although we know it is a natural edit. It may work OK as a somewhat surreal artistic image instead of a photograph though.

[Manfred M]

In my view, #1 looks natural whereas #2 and especially #3 look over-processed.

If it were my image, I would try to find a way to darken the background for #1.

[pschlute]

The first is the best. The skin and mane colour are important elements I think. The second is so-so. the last just messes with the image.

[bje07]

In my view, #1 looks natural whereas #2 and especially #3 look over-processed.

If it were my image, I would try to find a way to darken the background for #1.

Manferd, you suggest something like that
1 bis
In fact, I was looking for an High Key look.

[bje07]

I prefer No. 3 because of the increased contrast between the subject and the background, an almost surreal appearance.

Thank you Ted, what is may be strange is in that picture the uniform light on the horse. It was worth a try.

[Manfred M]

Manferd, you suggest something like that
1 bis
In fact, I was looking for an High Key look.

I started working on your image and the direction that seems to work best for me is pushing the whole image high key.

[bje07]

Yes, thank you Manfred.
You just did it by increasing luminance sliders of Orange and yellow to +100, ( I tried theses values and get quite the same result )

[Shadowman]

The third because the processing provides a different look, the color version is a bit dull except for the color fringe on the animal's side which doesn't really work.

[vaez]

My fav number 1