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IN THE FIELD: Gold Or Silver B&W
Referring to my previous post, I photographed some jewelry in a store with just the available light.
It was suggested to me to try a B&W conversion of the photo by a fellow photographer/blogger. http://zarabu.wordpress.com/ I highly encourage you to check out Abu’s blog. His photography is a wonderful mix of scenics, street photography, and portraiture. He truly understands good composition.
It never occurred to me to see what this shot would look like as a B&W. I have to say I do like it, but I’m still undecided which version I like better.
f 2.2
1/80th
ISO 200
cloudy WB
David Heilman 
I like this version better. Your eye goes straight for the composition and detail of the jewelry instead of its color. But that’s just me 🙂
Ya know…you are absolutely right. It really does! Looks like the general consensus is the B&W version.
I like the black and white better, I think. The abstract shapes draws your eye in and around and in the color version I remember not noticing the background as much. Just my observation 🙂
Interesting how in certain instances a monotone image forces the eye/brain to focus more on the subject rather than the overall image.
That was a good idea! I think it brings out the tones of the metal, and the shapes and reflections. The colour pic was great but the b&w has the edge!
I like how the color image is warm and cozy, and the B&W image appears to have fewer distracting elements.
WOW!
Thanks Nia, it’s an amazing store. I do have to go back!
After viewing both I think I like the b&w conversion better for this subject David !!
Seems as though everyone does! I like them both but still can’t find a preference…maybe I should stop staring at them for a bit LOL.
I’ve always been partial to the color version when asked to choose between B & W or color of the same shot, and I’ve just figured out a possible reason. When I was given my first camera in grade school–a Kodak Brownie Bullet box camera–I could only take B & W photos with it. My second camera was a Kodak Starmite (flash) camera, and color film was available for it. After a few years of taking only B & W photos, I loved being able to capture color. It’s a bias I still have.
I know what you mean…I love color! I dabble in B&W from time to time just to mix it up a bit. Sometimes I’ll shoot a photo in color and then shoot in B&W to see the difference. I used to carry two cameras, one loaded with color slide film and the other with B&W film.
Looks like its going to be unanimous – I vote for the black and white too. It simplifies things in a good way. All those lovely golden tones in the background were pulling my eye away from the subject.
Looks like I’m jumping on board ship with everyone else. I am now favoring the B&W for the same reasons you stated.
I like both, but silver is calmer and allows you to study the ring details from closer.
I have to agree with you. At first I liked the gold color shot but now I’m leaning more to the silver side for the same reason.
Looking good in B&W.
That seems to be the general consensus for this round.