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 has 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?
Wendy they are both great, but I actually prefer this colour version. You see more of the soft light and more of their personalities, in my opinion.
Lovely shot either way, and I very much want to stroke their noses.
Undecided about the crop as viewing on my phone. Definitely the colour version is a much richer image
Unless as a commercial photographer you are being commissioned for something quite specific I’d tend to go with what you as a photographer prefers and enjoys. Customers are not likely to be homogeneous... and likewise wil have different perspectives and preferences.
What was the rationale for your club to suggest black and white and a tighter crop
@brigette
Again, I think that it was just personal preference with the camera club.
I think that they are like many who prefer a black and white. I find that many people equate black and white to be more artsy or mature - that it takes more talent to produce a good black and white while colour tends to hide a multitude of sins.
I am not of that camp.
The cropped b&w makes it too tight on the pair. I like the uncropped and color version which let nature frame the horses as well as more information about their 'home'. Their winter coats in color also show much more tonal variation than monotone.
Well I instantly like this - I'll have a think and try to tell you why.
OK so now I've read more than the title, so I know what to do.
I came to the colour one first, and in comparison the bw looks small and "mean". You've lost the natural landscape format, the corner framing, the fence leading off to the right, the effect of the sun on the snow - and obviously the colour, but therefore, the warmth.
Commercially, I can only think of birthday cards, and I can only think I'd buy the colour one.
I really like the color and the composition of this one. It definitely has an entirely different feel. Trying to pick which one would be the better choice is almost impossible because I can see this one appealing to an entirely different kind of person. That being said each one has its own advantages. You would be able to reach two entirely different types of clientele with the two different photos
Color for me. This is such beautiful light, and that is lost for me in the b&w. Personally, when I lean toward b&w it is either because I'm trying to minimize the distraction of color, or I'm trying to bring out textures and shadows that pop more in b&w. Here there are no competing colors, just the lovely golden browns and whites. I also like the softer, golden textures in the color over the harsher textures brought out in b&w. As for the crop, I really like the framing in this version.
The nice thing about digital photography and shooting in RAW is that you can create multiple and varied image styles from one image while still retaining the original. You are free to produce a version that pleases you as well as a more commercial version to meet the needs of a consumer.
I love B&W but prefer the colour version and uncropped format.
There is a warmth to the colour version that adds to the beautiful side lighting and your two lovely models are nicely framed which, for me, makes a stronger composition as well as providing background context and "breathing room" - overall I think the colour version tells a better story.
As for commercial considerations I really have no idea but would agree with Brigette: go with what you as a photographer enjoy
I really like the colour version, and compositionally prefer this as I think the branches frame the horses well. Might have cropped off a little on the right, but this one is definitely my favourite.
Lovely shot either way, and I very much want to stroke their noses.
Unless as a commercial photographer you are being commissioned for something quite specific I’d tend to go with what you as a photographer prefers and enjoys. Customers are not likely to be homogeneous... and likewise wil have different perspectives and preferences.
What was the rationale for your club to suggest black and white and a tighter crop
Again, I think that it was just personal preference with the camera club.
I think that they are like many who prefer a black and white. I find that many people equate black and white to be more artsy or mature - that it takes more talent to produce a good black and white while colour tends to hide a multitude of sins.
I am not of that camp.
OK so now I've read more than the title, so I know what to do.
I came to the colour one first, and in comparison the bw looks small and "mean". You've lost the natural landscape format, the corner framing, the fence leading off to the right, the effect of the sun on the snow - and obviously the colour, but therefore, the warmth.
Commercially, I can only think of birthday cards, and I can only think I'd buy the colour one.
The nice thing about digital photography and shooting in RAW is that you can create multiple and varied image styles from one image while still retaining the original. You are free to produce a version that pleases you as well as a more commercial version to meet the needs of a consumer.
There is a warmth to the colour version that adds to the beautiful side lighting and your two lovely models are nicely framed which, for me, makes a stronger composition as well as providing background context and "breathing room" - overall I think the colour version tells a better story.
As for commercial considerations I really have no idea but would agree with Brigette: go with what you as a photographer enjoy
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!