Which Version Is Preferred?

I prefer # 3. When I clicked on the bigger images I liked the warm color over the darker one and how it looked just a little cleaner than the one of similar color. :) Nice work.

I prefer #3.

#1 is obvious straight b&w; #2 is desaturated color; #3 has a warm tone applied progressively to the shadows (a common interpretation of "sepia").

I like # 3. It feels a bit softer, & that invites me in .

This is really interesting.

An unexpected consensus among artists -- alert the press! :-)

Agreed, #3.

Lol...sorry guys...I like the crisp drama of 1.

And I like #2. Sorry Wendy, so much for consensus! ;-)

I don't understand why my replies always post twice!

They all have their merits but I'm a fan of #1.

Okay, a splintered consensus, then -- same as always. ;-)

For me its #2. It "pops" more than the other 2. The desaturated color does wonders for the contrast. It seems to have more depth.

Well nuts. :-) But seriously, I really appreciate all the opinions.

In my mind it this one should convey a gritty, industrial feeling. That might suggest straight b&w. But, it's also a sort of abstract geometric image and to my eyes, the slight toning of #3 enhances the lines and the 3-dimensionality somehow. #2 isn't that different from #3 because the lower parts of the rails are rusty, but maybe it seems a little more real and less antique-y than #3.

One thing that usually helps me decide is to just stop looking and come back to it in a few days.

It depends on what you want to emphasise....artistic process, stark industrial realism, my choice....#1......etc,etc.....

I agree, #2 isn't that different in my eye from #3 except it has a more "bleached out" appearance.

#1

I'll cast my vote for #3

I used to get Lenswork magazine, which is all b&w photography but printed with a slightly warm tone, often described as 'chocolate'. I liked it and felt it enhanced photos without seeming gimmicky.

My vote is #3. To me it has more perceived sharpness and the tone seems to match the industrial atmosphere of the steel. But that is just me and my preference. (plus I wear glasses) :-)

If I had to pick one, I would choose #2. The others are monochrome and I am not a fan of monochrome. The subtle color variations are more appealing..

but that is only my opinion I am not an art expert ;O) [sorry Abbie I just couldn't resist ]

Sorry to confuse you more, but no.1 for me. x

#2. I also thought it had more depth. And the more natural color.

I like them in the order you have them - 1 the best, 2 second and 3 not so much.

See how much difference there is in personal taste? It's interesting...

I still get Lenswork magazine. I'll have to go home and look at that, Jim. I guess I never noticed it before.

I'd say it's not really a matter of confusion, there's no right answer because people perceive things differently. I do think though that if you hope to sell something you should offer only one version of it.

#1, I like the look of metal and steal to be in Black & White

Kevin - it's steel, but there's also a lot of rust...

But sometimes color is just a distraction and b&w exposes the underlying reality.

#2--more depth

Number 2 - it has that rusty hue found in railroad tracks and is much richer-looking than number 3. I clicked on each of them for the larger view and didn't care for the b/w at all! You asked! :))

My personal choice is #2. B&W is so played out, everyone is doing it, and commonly used for gallery showings if you have a B&W collection. Honestly, the market is saturated with it. Number 2 provides a crisp clarity with warm brown hues which can be used in any setting.

Interestingly, would love to see it matted/framed and marketed to dentist's office for humor. A bit of nostalgia from the old railroad track braces - could coincide it with a slimline piece.

2 and 3 look the same to me, side by side would be easier. but i would go with either of those 2, because while the black and white create a pattern, the brown looks more like rust, so you have a little more going.

---Mike Savad

Number 2 has my vote.

Number 2. I don't think this thread is going to help much as we are all over the map.

Number 2... what Chuck said more "pop" Brings my eyes right to the area below the center. The other ones I feel as though I'm wandering around a bit too much.

I feel like I want to like the black and white version but I think that version would be better if the top of some/all of the rails were really gleaming and glistening.

Interesting isn't it - there is no consensus. Even though as I look at photos by people who have commented here, I see lots of skill and taste.

Here's what I think would be fun: have the 3 side by side, maybe as big prints on a wall; you get 10 seconds to look, then you have to push a button for the one you "like". No time to think or analyze. Just gut reaction. Which would win?

I don't mind seeing more than one version of the same piece on offer -- but each version must be blatantly different.

Choice is good -- but too much similarity can lead to shopper's paralysis, No good can come of that.

Number 2

I like #2. It was my first quick glance choice and remained my choice even after I looked at the larger images.

Black and white...#1

I like #2 the best!

Look at the top of the rails. Number 2 has more detail. Number one and 3 are overexposed there and detail is washed out. That's part of why I like 2. 1&2 need work.
I opened 3 tabs and you can really see it when you switch. But it took me 3 seconds to see it at first.

#1 goes well with the straight lines - that is the one I would pick

Fascinating! Thank you all for your thoughtful replies.

#2, more depth and detail, retains the warm hues of the rail balanced better with dark gray/black tone, so for me, more interesting and is my preference
3 is flatter and no warmth in the highlights.
1 is eh, okay.

My heart belongs to B&W, so I'm going to go with #1. I'd probably follow with #3, then #2.

Just glancing at them, I would say #3. When I opened each one up, I've switched to #2.:)

I vote for #2

I like #2 best.

The highlights on the tops of the rails are toned down a bit more in #2 than in #3. I think that makes it much more pleasing...at least to my eye.

Yes it makes a difference if you look at a larger version. There isn't a lot going on in this photo unless you like the details.

I took it on a sunny day because I wanted the strong contrasts.

2

It's interesting that some of us feel like we "should" prefer the pure b&w but when we compare the larger images, it doesn't seem as interesting. I think I might be in that category.

I like b&w and often feel like it removes all the distractions from a photo and brings out what's really interesting. But in this photo, I guess that rusty color does something for me.

Now if I were trying to decide which one might sell, that's a different story. No one is likely to buy the color version - it isn't that interesting unless maybe you're a rail buff. A b&w purist who likes industrial/urban stuff might possibly want #1.