Smoking a pipe

Can you please help me choose between the colour and black and white version? Thank you.

Posted by Christopher Azzopardi on Tue, 09/30/08 14:09
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Comments by Christopher Azzopardi on Tue, 09/30/08 14:10

This is the black and white version.


Comments by Alias on Tue, 09/30/08 14:18

"Can you please help me choose between the colour and black and white version?"

Well, probably not, but I'll give it a shot. ;-)

I prefer the color.

The two appeal to different parts of the brain.
Color is more right brain, emotive
B&W left brain analytical.

I often, but not always,
prefer to see people with my softer side
and things with my intellect.

Both are excellent as usual.
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Comments by Jan Bjorklund on Tue, 09/30/08 14:30

As with Alias I'm at a loss to determine which image I prefer the most but I'll have to go with the color version. The lighting works superbly in both images to create a sense of flow in the picture which helps to carry the eyes of the viewer up and down with the smoker. But with the colored version there is the skin tones which serves to bring the picture to life for me while with the colored version the lit match becomes the focal point with all the other elements of the image revolving around that focal point. A Bing Crosby feel to the portraiture.


Comments by AG Laycock on Tue, 09/30/08 14:41

Awesome!!! Although I mainly shoot BW I find that your colour versions just seem more unique than BW...so I vote for colour.


Comments by Marlis Steinke on Tue, 09/30/08 18:42

Definitely colour - there's more depth and it gives a greater sense of the character.


Comments by G.B. SHETTLER on Tue, 09/30/08 19:23

Lots and lots of personality comes out in this photo Chris. I prefer the color as I find the arms and hands in the B&W start to dominate a touch more in that foreground position with the B&W ??


Comments by Angie Taylor on Tue, 09/30/08 19:35

Hard choice!! They are both awesome!!! I think I like the color best though... more
interesting!


Comments by Mo Fridlich on Tue, 09/30/08 20:01

I'm torn between both, tough choice. Guess I would agree with everyone else that the color version is just a touch more interesting.


Comments by jacques barbier on Tue, 09/30/08 20:28

The warmth of the flame is lost in the b+w version.


Comments by Linda Frey on Tue, 09/30/08 21:56

Beautifully done, Chris. I like the colour, but both work very well.


Comments by Steve Owen on Tue, 09/30/08 22:32

Both are great--but I prefer the color.


Comments by John Wise on Wed, 10/01/08 00:11

I prefer the color version. Your ability to work with subdued colors and light are the strong point of your portraiture for me. But of course the B&W is excellent also.


Comments by Julie M. Dant on Wed, 10/01/08 00:19

I think we all might have made your decision....the OP wins, Chris! ;0) I love both. Super, super work!


Comments by Rory Hudson on Wed, 10/01/08 04:36

The colour definitely adds something. Lighting is beautiful as always, and the expression is natural.


Comments by axeltrading on Wed, 10/01/08 10:25

as always, very nice. is this also one flash off camera? Or some background light too?


Comments by Maria Salvador on Wed, 10/01/08 11:35

I like both. But the color version seems to convey more of his personality - can't explain why.


Comments by les perry on Wed, 10/01/08 13:46

As strong a medium as B/W is, when the colours are good and working together as the original post it is hard to beat and the warmth generated in this one does not come through in the b/w


Comments by Tony Scheuhammer on Wed, 10/01/08 17:18

Really wonderful image; everything looks great to me.

I'll never choose B&W over color, for a shot like this!


Comments by Frank B on Fri, 10/03/08 18:03

This is a superb portrait. I definitely would pick the color version due to its subtle tonality and the color of the flame.

Thanks for commenting on "Fall Color". I am not receiving the comments by email from PCrit. and like to reply by email. I would appreciate it if you would send me yours. Mine is fgbphoto@yahoo.com. Thanks.



Comments by Jerry Sliwowski on Sat, 10/04/08 01:33

Color - for me. Beautiful tones, the match flame, and gold rings.
I think in the b/w you're losing the some of the details.

In any case, great portrait.


Comments by Christopher Azzopardi on Sat, 10/04/08 09:18

Thank you all for your feedback. Such feedback, helps me to continue taking more photos. I agree with you that the colour version is more interesting.

Axel, I always use simple equipment. I do so for two reasons, first I don't afford expensive equipment and secondly, I take my photos on locations and not in a studio, so I need to setup my equipment for each photo shoot. For this photo I used a portaflash studio light which I bounced it in a silver umbrella. The umbrella was at the left and above the sitter by about 4 feet. The man was away from the wall so that it will be rendered out of focus and not enough light will reach it.

Frank, lie you, I'm not receiving emails from photocritique. This is my email ruggieru_azzopardi@yahoo.com