Indifference: B&W or Color?

[Richard]

I am going for creepiness here. Which do you think works better?

http://rsinmadrid.smugmug.com/photos/170828508-L.jpg

or

http://rsinmadrid.smugmug.com/photos/170822407-L.jpg

BTW, there's nothing really wrong with the woman on the ground, though none of these ladies bothered to find that out.

Thanks.

[leaforte]

I like the color edition much better...just my opinion of course. With all of the graystone, it's almost like selective colorization of the important elements. I am much more aware of the fact that the women, and the man,for that matter, either don't notice, or don't care, about the woman on the ground. And the white flower bed also feeds in as key to the composition. And of course the first moment of glimpsing it, you can't help but think it's a tragedy. Upon closer inspection, it appears that the woman on the ground just plumb tuckered herself out, and found a nice place on the warm tiles to take a cat nap (meow). At least that's my story...the picture invites the viewer to decide whats happening, and ask questions ...making it a fun photograph. I like it. Thanks for sharing.

[Richard]

Thanks, Leaforte. I think I had an a priori notion that this would work better in B&W, but in the end, I tend to agree that the color version is better. I just didn't get the contrast it needs in B&W. Perhaps someone more skilled at conversion could pull it off.

You are exactly right about the story. The "body" was just a tired shopper enjoying the warmth of the early morning sun. I was shooting from my terrace about a half a block away, after I saw her sit up and talk with a couple of people who stopped to ask if she was OK. What I did find dismaying is that the overwhelming majority of people made no attempt at all to inquire whether she needed help. :rolleyes

Regards,

[JohnC]

I vote color on this as well. :thumb

I'm not a pro, though.

[z_28]

OK, so another vote after color :thumb

[Richard]

Thanks, John and z. There seems to be a clear trend. :D

Regards,

[pyrtek]

Out of these two I also vote for the color version, but I would vote for B&W if
the conversion was more contrasty.

[Tee Why]

b/w is creepier

[Richard]

Out of these two I also vote for the color version, but I would vote for B&W if
the conversion was more contrasty.

My feelings exactly. Thanks, Bernard. :thumb

[Richard]

b/w is creepier

Thanks for the feedback. I appreciate it. :thumb

Regards,