I posted both shots today in the hopes that you can help me with a dilemma I have been dealing with. I often grapple with which style of photo I should post.
While I have always maintained that a person should to stay true to their art and follow their heart when making their art. Beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder and very much personal taste and opinion. However, if a photographer wishes to develop as an artist commercially, s/he must produce what the consumer wants.
I showed the colour version at my virtual camera club meeting and the immediate consensus was to crop it and turn it B&W. What do you think?
I've been looking at both shots a few times and I like them both a lot! Not sure if I prefer the color or B&W version. However, I'm not too keen on the cropping... but obviously that is very personal.
beauty is indeed in the eye of the beholder because i prefer the color and full version of the shot. this shows the beautiful creatures up close but i prefer the other because it shows the animas' natural environment and that is what makes them so beautiful. country, barn, trees, and despite the fence, those make them look free. here in the cropped version, the black and white still show their beauty but somehow, they look sadder because there seem to be not much room for them, even though the perceived space could be apparent. i hope you understand what i mean.
the lighting is exquisite though and that gave justice to their beauty.
Well, this was an interesting exercise. Before I looked at the color version, I was sure my vote would be for this B/W. I love the textures and the contrast of light/dark. But then...my vote will have to be for the color and uncropped version - The lighting and framing of the trees really add to my love of the color version. But I'm fav'ing both ♥
I like the closer crop of this which puts more focus on the horses. The processing makes it more artistic in some ways. The black and white definitely creates some interesting contrasts.
I like both versions as far as color and b&w, but I do like the crop. For you and for your photo group, I’d say please yourself, but listen to their helpful suggestions you may like them. As for commercial depends on what you can sell I think. I have never done anything like that.
I like all three photos you've posted of these two horses. Quite frankly, for me, I like the b&w version the least. I think that there's nothing wrong in having different versions. I think consumers have different tastes as well.
I have to say I love the black and white it bring out more detail. The subject is definitely the horses with no extraneous scenery to detract from the subject. But this is your work and I would say do what you like best. You can’t please all the people all the time so please yourself.
@janiskay
Oh - So good to hear from you!
Thank you - and this exercise has shown me that I will please myself and be true to my art. (as I often recommend to others)
It's interesting reading the comments and the range of comments just reinforces the fact that art is very much a personal preference. I prefer the colour version and no cropping. The trees frame the picture and draw my eye to the focal point which is the horses. I also find the colour version has more feeling. When I look at it I can imagine being right there and feeling slightly chilly.
Hi Wendy. Thanks for my Get Pushed Challenge. A good choice to give me as night photography is something I haven't done much of. For your challenge I'm suggesting you present a photo using a mirror to create reflection. It can be a portrait but doesn't have to be. Have fun.
the lighting is exquisite though and that gave justice to their beauty.
Thank you all for taking the time to comment and give me your opinion!
It does seem as if 'Beauty is truly in the Eye of the Beholder'. We all see things differently and we each have our own preferences.
It was evenly divided between the two shots and I guess that answered my question!
Oh - So good to hear from you!
Thank you - and this exercise has shown me that I will please myself and be true to my art. (as I often recommend to others)
Thank you, Sue! That should work with this week's Flash of Red portraits thing,