Street Vendor - Battery Park

Jack'll do

Does the head shot work? Would the original be better in color as shown or B&W and why? Trying to get a better feeling for when color works. Some folks say "if color doesn't add anything get rid of it". I tend to feel that if color doesn't detract then keep it.

1. Head shot crop


2. Original Image

rainbow

Jack'll do wrote: »

Some folks say "if color doesn't add anything get rid of it". I tend to feel that if color doesn't detract then keep it.

I think either approach works. There are definitely some that work better in one format, but often the difference is only a matter of preference.

In your pics, I prefer the color as the skin tone is well-captured and appears too blown out in the b&w version. And the colors are pleasing to me in clothing and background.

lizzard_nyc

Hi Jack,
As a street portrait, I like the black and white version as well as the tighter crop--the color one is kind of blah for me, but not hte B&W.

Jack'll do

rainbow wrote: »

I think either approach works. There are definitely some that work better in one format, but often the difference is only a matter of preference.

In your pics, I prefer the color as the skin tone is well-captured and appears too blown out in the b&w version. And the colors are pleasing to me in clothing and background.

Thanks for looking and the comments rainbow. If only we could quantify the factors involved to make the decision (B&W or color), a set of rules as it were. Guess thats just my math and science background feeling uneasy in unfamiliar terrain

Jack'll do

lizzard_nyc wrote: »

Hi Jack,
As a street portrait, I like the black and white version as well as the tighter crop--the color one is kind of blah for me, but not hte B&W.

Thanks for the input Liz. The olor version appeals to me on some levels but I think the B&W better portrays what I wanted to capture here.