Agave, Island of Maui • Wista SP4x5 Field Camera
I am posting the color rendition of my Agave, Hawaii photograph. I am very pleased with both versions.
Do you prefer one over the other? I am leaning towards the BW version, but still love the rich color and strong contrasting lines seen here.
Enjoy! Bill
Tags: 4x5 Film, Hawaii, Large Format, Nature, nature patterns, photograph, photography, William Neill, williamneill.com
I have to say that I much prefer the colour. The rich green/yellow colouring is beautiful and the mix of colour tones in the central spear definitely add something extra. I’m wondering if the brightness of the central ‘spear’ is drawing too much attention where the leaf shapes are a major feature of the black and white? The dark shadows top and right on the black and white pull my eye a little too much on the b&w Only my very much non-expert opinion – I’ll probably change my mind tomorrow too..
I’m a colour-phile at heart too. Wonderful picture either way..
Much better in color!!! Love the rich green color!! The black and white image does not have enough contrast for me.
Hi Bill, I like them both but the color offers more visual interest. It is more unusual than the Black and White. It will look magnificent as a big print.
I love the black and white tis true … but the colour is indeed stunning …
if i may? the black and white lacks the deepest black areas … what i love about it is the varying greys and whites creating the lines across the canvas … bring in the blackest of blacks and more contrast in B&W and i think its a winner …
gorgeous, in any case
>>> Gina
http://ginaseye.blogspot.com/ (my blog – art, photography, poetry)
http://fyneimages.blogspot.com/ (my photos)
The one in color would be my pick if forced but I like them both. The black and white has an ethereal look which is pleasing. The one in color is dramatic.
Thanks for all of your thoughts. Much to think about here. As for a high contrast rendition, I have considered it and still may try it. Thanks for the votes in that direction.
Don Worth, a former assistant to Ansel, was the master of succulent photos. See here:
http://www.photographywest.com/pages/worth_photos.html
Hi Bill. Tough choice, but I probably still lean to the soft soothing look of the BW image in the last post. A high contrast image may have more pop, but I like a nice quiet understated image now and then and this one pushes that button.
I love them both. They are such different interpretations of the subject I think they are equally valid. The most surprising thing is that they are exactly the same subject !
Probably 70% of the time I’d go for the colour version and 30% B+W
Thanks Stacey and Simon!
I’ve been fascinated with the subtle, graceful, and even sensuous lines in agaves for quite some time, and this photo really brings those lines to life. I really like both the black and white and the color images, and I agree that its the perfect example of a fine image lending itself to several outlets.
Congratulations on a fine image and thank you for sharing it with us!
Cheers,
Greg Russell
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by KerriFar and Chris Hall, flygrl67. flygrl67 said: Mmm…*gorgeous* color! @KerriFar This is stunning! via @hallphotography #Agave in color. William Neill: http://trunc.it/52y5p [...]
I agree, these are great examples of the same subject being able to communicate two entirely different moods just by the post processing.
One of my other agave photos has been a good seller – Agave parryi. See my nature’s design portfolio, or my By Nature’s Design book.
http://www.williamneill.com/portfolios/by-natures-design/index.html
http://www.williamneill.com/store/books/by-natures-design.html
I certainly prefer color for this one. Such an unusual light, and it doesn’t take away from the other beautiful patterns.
Thanks for the feedback!
I really like the color. I was fascinated by the subtle tones in the monochrome version, but the color version really jumps off the page and grabs me. I definately vote for the color version.
OK, thanks Liam!
I also very much prefer the colored version, not because of the color but because the darker tonalities suit this subject better. The B&W version is much too light in the center of the agave, where the eye has to go eventually. Increasing the contrast slightly and darkening the overall image (B&W) would likely enhance it. Of course, this may be different with a print, where subtle hues might be better suited.
I am a big fan of B&W but have to same the color version Struck me and stood out. I think it is the green tones in the image. They bear a very rich color and texture. Very nice.
Sorry, I hate hitting submit before I proof read.
Thanks for the feedback Greg and Yves!
Hi Bill. I prefer the color version because of the lighting on this version. The lighting is incredible from highlight to shadow and how the edges of the leaves seem to be glowing.
Thanks Richard.
The two images were created from the same scan, just different PP treatment!
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