Saguaro West Vistor Center - BW or Color? Need input ?

Please vote.

Saguaro West Visitor Center

RichieV

BW

I'm usually a fan of color over B&W, but in this case, B&W simplifies the image, reducing it down to the shapes and lines. B&W hands down.

The color is fine, but the B&W really amplifies the graphic qualities. No question about my choice.

I was leaning to BW also. The only reason that it came up as a question to me was the natural saturated color 'window' like effect of the desert areas while the rest was desaturated.

RichieV

BW - this is a graphic image. The color doesn't add anything.

My vote is for BW also. Your choice depends on what you want the viewer to experience though. On the color version my eye is drawn to the colorful areas (the mountain and cacti) first and then to the shadow textures. It almost seems like it's two photos combined into one. On the BW version I seem to see everything at once due to more consistency in the tones. It appears a little bit more harmonious as one image, if that makes any sense.

I like both, but Kalin is right, the color doesn't add enough. The B&W hits the mark!

The B&W draws my eyes to the roof and its shadow patterns. My eyes stop at teh foreground.
The color version has the blue sky which helps pull my eyes past the roofing and shadow lines into the image, but yet there is still a lot of area in the image with the roofing that the shadow pattern is not overlooked. I prefer the colored.

I definitely prefer B&W here. Cool shot!

It took me a few minutes to decide, but I'm going with the BW too. But what a great image! The curving shadows along the top and bottom are great. I also like how the one column in the center is predominantly light whereas the column to it's left it predominantly dark. I would think the visitor center will want a print of this!

The graphics here are excellent! I feel like they're more pronounced in the b&w version, so that's where my choice lies, as well.
I do wish that the blue in the skies was a bit darker, though. Seems like that would add some more 'pop' to the clouds and the background in general. Have you considered cropping the left to eliminate that slice of blue sky? That tends to draw my eye left and just doesn't seem to fit.

I am going with the color version here. The B&W one reminds me too much of a jail cell I once spent the night in......only without the view.

No contest, B and W. The shadows make superb graphics here

First, Richard, it is a wonderfully creative idea. B&W is best.

Excellent shot! B&W

Both!! But i slightly prefer the color... (i like the blue--white/gray contrast and balance)

Here's a twist: I'd do the image in b&w to preserve the awesome graphic quality of the shadows, but leave the background in color. In the b&w version, the background desert just about disappears.

I like the color because the man-made elements are already mostly B&W and the colorful landscape in the background is a nice counterpoint. Also, in the B&W version the lines and shadows are very strong elements that dominate the image and there is nothing to lead your eye out into the landscape. Great shot by the way!

Y'know, Todd's suggestion crossed my mind as well. That technique has gotten a lot of (deservedly) bad press in the past, but it just might work here.

Most definitely B&W for me.

B&W for me! Excellent!

I'm diggin on the B&W. I have to force myself to look past the patterns in the color version to see the mountain in the background

I prefer the B&W, but Todd's idea sounds interesting. It would be worth a try.

the B&W is striking!
Sandy

Rich I like both. The B&W is my favorite overall. However, I like Todd's suggestion. I understand what he said I just wish I knew how to do it. Really nice shot!!

Thanks all for your help. I decided on the BW and followed johns suggestion of the left hand side crop. When i get some courage I'll try Todd's 'hybrid' picture idea.

RichieV

You have such a great eye for what converts to b&w! You really see lines and tones extremely well! Superb shot.

B&W by far, it really makes the patterns stick out!