At first I thought I would really love it in B&W with all of the textures and lines but I think the color shows it off better. That bright spot (rock) on the right is distracting in the B&W version. Great eye for detail here!!!
Posted by Rod Chandler on April 1, 2009 at 12:26 PM
This is just like Aleks' dune detail dilemma, in that the color version has so many wonderful tones and hues in it, it would be almost criminal to not choose it.
I have to disagree... BW *could* be a better choice for this.
To me, this capture is first about texture; then shape. Removal of color could enhance this, if done purposefully. If you can get the conversion to provide more tonal separation between the tree roots and the pine needle floor, I think that would win out over color...for example, make the red needles darker in the conversion. And add a bit of vignetting?
I think the current BW version doesn't make the most of this potential.
To me, this capture is first about texture; then shape. I think the current BW version doesn't make the most of this potential.
I completely agree.
I also think that cropping down from the top as much as possible (just above the road cut?) would allow one to focus more solely on the intricate root pattern.
Posted by Craig Schultz on April 2, 2009 at 12:46 PM
I prefer the color by a wide margin (at least with the BW conversion used here). The BW loses a lot of the contrast the colors are providing because the gray tones are too close together. If you could get the tones separated more, then it might work as a BW.
But, I don't see why you would bother, the color is excellent.
Discussion
18 replies"Roots" was taken in the Fanes Valley of the Italian Dolomites last fall. I made this image on a windy and stormy non-sunrise morning.
What do you think? Color?
I love B&W, but I think the color works nicely for this one. Great shot.
To me, this capture is first about texture; then shape. Removal of color could enhance this, if done purposefully. If you can get the conversion to provide more tonal separation between the tree roots and the pine needle floor, I think that would win out over color...for example, make the red needles darker in the conversion. And add a bit of vignetting?
I think the current BW version doesn't make the most of this potential.
I completely agree.
I also think that cropping down from the top as much as possible (just above the road cut?) would allow one to focus more solely on the intricate root pattern.
But, I don't see why you would bother, the color is excellent.