I think it is a pity to lose the colour altogether, how about just a 'straight' one? Also on this one there is a conflict between the house and the river as to which is the main subject.
To me, it's almost there, I wonder if a slight crop along the bottom and right hand edge might work; not really sure without trying it out.
Yes, Geoff's idea does seem to resolve the 'tug-of-war' in favour of the house
I personally prefer the colour one but my eye is far from trained. The reason is my eyes are straight to the house with it's orange sunset hues and gold framing of the reeds making a strong and bright contrast to the green/blue other stuff. The B&W looks cold and stark to me (which might be your intention) and lacks the contrast the colour one does. The colour seems to have more contrasting tones between the subject and it's background than the b&w for me.
I am terrible with b&w images though, I never shot on b&w film and never tried snapping something with b&w (digitally) in mind so it's just my own opinion which could be horribly wrong. My personal feeling is it's useful where it adds contrast or clarity or brings focus onto the subject in scenes busy with colour that draws the eyes away or breaks up outlines too much like DPM and detracts from the intended effect.
Agree with Nocturne, the colour one is great, though would also benefit from cutting out the right edge as on the B&W. I think the house is timber framed and probably does lean in, but still find it slightly worrying that near the LH edge.
The evening light you have got is magical - on my 2004 pic the bricks and tiles look very much less lively.
For our overseas members perhaps we should explain that this is at Flatford next to the mill immortalised by John Constable and next to the small museum of his life (and birthplace?)
I like the B/W version; it looks as though it't designed for a specific application; perhaps a book cover; art mag. etc?
The colour one is good, too but I guess that's what "everyone does" with that interesting subject?
BTW there's something (?) in the water at the bottom of the reflection near the chimney which bugs me now that I've noticed it.. could be removed easily and in my view will look better.
Richard R
Not bad, although for more olde worlde feel, might I suggest;
- Add a fair bit of vignetting (i.e. darken the corners)
- Blur even more nearer the edges
Also, what is the straight line thing parallel to the reflected chimney?
I think I'd lose that too. (Only just noticed it , but see it is in all the others too)
Cheers,