Pic of Lake of the clouds today...B&W or Color???

[w7xman]

Up on Washington today with a nice undercast...

Snapped this pic of Lake of the clouds, living up to it's name!

I think it's pretty dramatic, but I'm torn though between pushing the B&W or Color on a couple of online galleries?!?! Anyone good at photoshop who can offer suggestions...

What'ya think? Any thoughts would be helpful

~w7x

 

[forestgnome]

Very nice composition! Surealistic. IMO, b&w is nice with such an image because it accentuates the composition and the mood by removing other properties. Nice work and thanks for sharing!

 

[Waumbek]

Very impressive. It's what the moon might like like if it had an AMC hut. Definitely go with the b&w.

 

[takeahike46er]

Based on aesthetic alone, I prefer the color. The contrast between the light and shadows is more rich. The b&w looks a bit more flat and lifeless, IMO. It focuses attention on the texture of the landscape, rather than the soft light of the snow and clouds.

I guess it depends on what you wish to communicate in the photograph. A cold, inhospitable place? the beauty of the harsh climate? One version might communicate your "vision" better than the other.

 

[weatherman]

A 3rd for B&W. If color doesn't add anything (and I can't see how it would) keep it simple. I think if you played with the contrast some, the light would look less flat. Makes me wish I still had a darkroom. GREAT pic! Snow looks deep enough for some fun sliding!
-Weatherman

 

[sli74]

Maybe I am going blind but I can't tell the difference? Is there really a color one in those 2 choices?

sli74

 

[stu]

Color!

I thought I would like the b&w, but the color image appears richer in the shadows. I vote go with the color on this one.... Either way, a very nice image!
Stu

 

[Mark Schaefer]

B&w

There really is not a lot of difference in these two fine images. With very monochrome images, especially those that are essentially shades of gray I usually prefer a B&W image for its overall simplicity. In the days of film just about any image from a B&W film would be sharper than any image produced from a color film (even a B&W image made from a color slide or negative). These being digital and produced from the same image the sharpness advantage of B&W is not present. Still if color does not lend much additional information to an image, and in my opinion it doesn't here, then I prefer the B&W.

 

[w7xman]

A third option?!

Thanks for the input all. Seems alot like the B&W, but say it's a bit too flat to work.

I don't like manipulating my images much at all...but I burned out the B&W.

Yes / No / Too Much / Just right ?!?!?!

Thanks again all...

~w7x

 

[jbrown]

I usually prefer B/W prints in most situations, but in this case I think it loses something when going from color to B/W.

It's not just the contrast, it's the subtle browns in the building and the blowing snow compared to the black of the rocks in the foreground that jumps out to me.

 

[weatherman]

Love the third option! Put that thing up in the studio next to the Highland Resort... it'll hold its own nicely.

 

[Lawn Sale]

I also like the last pic in the series.

 

[dvbl]

Maybe I am going blind but I can't tell the difference? Is there really a color one in those 2 choices?

sli74

sli74, I'm with you. I can't tell the difference between all three of them. I need a new monitor or another dose of LASIK.

 

[takeahike46er]

I could easily tell the difference when I flipped between them in tabs. I still prefer the color. The soft orange hues in the lighter areas glow next to the blues in the shadows. The reason? They are complementary colors. The third version is an improvement over the other b&w, but it still lacks the airy quality of the color.

 

[w7xman]

Thanks all...

I decided to go few the strong minority and send out the color image. I like the second B&W one, but there was something striking about the color image that I couldn't get past. I guess the last step is too print them both and see what happens.

I had one more shot yesterday (same time, but didn't like the composition as much.) For the B&W votes, this was an easy choice...much better in B&W.

Thanks for all your critique!

~w7x

 

[dvbl]

am i the only one who thinks that looks like a tidal wave about to wipe out a beach house? (the most recent picture, post #15)

 

[skiguy]

Sepia

Sepia can be interesting too. HERE is a link that shows you how to do it. I applied it too your secound photo for example.