Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2007/05/30
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]2007-05-30-13:01:28 Ted Grant: > Which version is the better? B&W or COLOUR? > Or the stronger of the photographs? > > http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/tmax/%232+WCG+col__MG_4332.jpg.html > > http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/tmax/B_amp_W+WCG_MG_4332.jpg.html I think I have a slight preference for the colo[u]r version, partly because having the tapestry in color (can't help it, gotta use the US spelling) behind the good doctor pleases my eye but also because the contrast of the B&W version seems to be cranked up to the point where some detail is blown out in the left side of the subject's face (viewer's right), and some of the other facial details are so contrasty that they verge on caricature. On the other hand, the face seems every so slightly flat in the color version; is there some middle ground? One advantage this color photo has over many others for a B&W lover is that the subject's clothing is essentially monochromatic, and thus is no more distracting from the essences in color then it would be in B&W. I'm well aware of how some contract enhancement is usually necessary to make a B&W conversion from color look "right" -- B.D. gave me a really useful hint about using USM for local contrast enhancement to do the trick -- but I'm thinking this one is just a little overcooked, and I might go back to preferring the B&W version if the contrast were dialled back a touch. Even though the tapestry is lovely. -Jeff M