View Near Westcliffe

This is an image I captured of some of the Sangre De Cristo range during a drive to and around Westcliffe, Colorado last weekend. Even though it was cloudy, the sun was peeking through a bit, and I liked the way it was shining on the peaks.
I am torn as to whether I prefer the color version or the B&W version.
A slight variation of the color version posted over at ESS.

Sony DSLR A-100, 75-300mm lens @ 160mm, 1/30, F32, ISO 100

Here is the B&W version.

I prefer the BW version, but I would be tempted to increase the contrast quite a bit.

Thanks Erik, I really appreciate yours and everyone else's critique and comments. I really want to take my photography to the next level, so I am getting out more and practicing, practicing. Editing is difficult right now, though...I really need Photoshop! I will try your suggestion.

Very nice Kelly. I agree with Erik in that I'd prefer the bw with a bump in contrast. Time to get that software!!

Yeah, I think I prefer the B&W, too. OK, I increased the contrast on this with the software I do have (Paint Shop Pro Photo X2). Is this better?

That's a good start. Once you get photoshop (or an equivalent) I'd revisit this image and work on the sky to wring more tonality out of it.

I certainly like the rework on the b&w, but I also like the color version. Really nice light. Good capture.

The reworked version looks pretty good to me.
Paint Shop Pro is a fine image editor, with much of the capabilities of Photoshop.
I would work on learning how to use it to its utmost before spending $$ on another image editor. For instance, while the mountains benefited from the contast bump, the hills in the foreground didn't need any, while the skies needed a a bit more.
Making selections and editing locally rather than globally will take your 'darkroom' skills up a notch.

Amazon has a few books for photo editing with PSP.

Just to confuse the issue, personally i think the color version is much better than the B&W. Your second B&W with more contrast looks better than the first, and i bet if you did the same (more contrast) to the color it would look even better. Ive used PSP occasionally, but if i were you id get PS, you wont regret it. If you havent photographed the Sangres at sunrise, I highly recommend trying it sometime, sunrise is the time to be in Westcliffe!

Ive used PSP occasionally, but if i were you id get PS, you wont regret it.

Why?
Which tools does PS have that PSP lacks regarding photo editing for beginners? :

Kelly,

I too prefer the color version. With some post processing I think it could turn into a really nice image. I'm using the "old" Photoshop CS2 and its capabilities far exceeds what I will ever use it for. Even the basic Photoshop Elements would be a great investment.

I'm leaning more towards the color version Kelly. You are definitely in the right place to learn. Shooting your subject at sunrise or near sunset will allow you to grow by leaps and bounds. Welcome to NPN and RMNP