Beth Portrait #2 – Austin, Texas
It’s been several months since the last “Color or Black and White, which do you like?” I figure it’s time for one.
I shot this portrait last Thursday at the Drink and Click event, which I talked about in the previous post, Drink and Click: Impromptu portraits and neon landscapes.
I took it in color as a RAW at ISO 400, using the Olympus E-PM2 with the Panasonic Leica 25mm f1.4. Black and white conversion done in post using Aperture 3.
Chime in with your opinion. Which do you like better the color or the black and white version?
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I prefer the b&w, mostly I think due to the fact that in the color version the background seems to draw my eye more, vs the b&w which focuses my eyes on the face and the eyes of the model.
Thanks for you vote, cuisinedejere.
Color for my taste, because the background looks really harsh in B&W. How about a version with a little less saturation?
Really nice pics in the last post as well …
Feri Naf, thanks for your vote. For better or worse, I like saturation, part of my style I guess.
I agree with ‘cuisinedejere’…my thoughts exactly. Also, the B&W is more calm and I am able to linger and take it in. The color is good but, again, the colorful background is too frenetic & I want to ‘move on’ too quickly. Her posture & smile is relaxed. The black & white conveys this well.
Thanks, Randy.
My vote goes to the color version. Although a fan of black and white, in this case it’s color contrast that holds ti together.
Thanks, Michael. Looks like we have a horse race 😉
At first I liked both equally but after a few moments the subject becomes more isolated from the background in the black and white version. I vote B&W, but then, I usually do.
Thanks Tom. I think there are merits to both. I was wondering if people thought the white scarf was too distracting the the black and white version. It seems less noticeable in the color version.
black and white, though the color is very colorful, I like the way the black and white just keeps your eyes focused on her.
I actually prefer the black and white. I didn’t think I would.
Thanks, Marilyn.
The B&W tones done the busy background considerably. It also enhances the eyes. FWIW I just love that Panasonic 25mm. I have one too. I don’t think I’ll be getting the new Olympus 25mm.
Yeah, the Panasonic 25mm f1.4 is a really nice lens. I probably won’t get the Olympus 25mm either,
I think her skin tones look more flattering in b&w. Can’t believe Beth is not a professional model, she certainly seems to know what she’s doing!
Thanks Don. I was surprised she wasn’t a model either.
color by far
I prefer the color, I think the colors around her really lead the eye to the subject, the B&W looses that for me.
Thanks for all the votes. Looks like black and white is more popular though color does have its supporters.
It wasn’t meant to be B&W, it’s all about color contrasts to me. The color version draws my attention to her face while nothing makes her stand out from black and white version.
gkojadinovic, thanks for your vote and thank you for visiting.