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vijaykishan · 05-22-2021, 10:57 AM - **2 Likes**

Which one do you prefer and why ? I'm a bit on the fence. OTOH, if happy to receive comments/critique on both. Thank you

**Peter Rockstroh** · 05-22-2021, 02:29 PM - **1 Like**

Nice composition. In this case I think the color image offsets the pen more and gives it a tad more intensity
In the B&W version the pen doesn’t stand out that much

tuco · 05-22-2021, 10:07 PM

Still Life? Where is the life

I'd say product photography and I like the color.

Kendra59 · 05-23-2021, 08:16 PM - **1 Like**

I would have to agree the colour version has more impact. Nice photo either way!

**caliscouser** · 05-23-2021, 08:39 PM

Nicely done. I think the color works better.

**Sir Nameless** · 05-24-2021, 07:35 AM - **1 Like**

I'll be the contrarian and vote B&W. I don't find that the color adds anything, and I really like the look of the shiny plastic and metal in mono.

**travelswsage** · 05-25-2021, 05:24 PM - **1 Like**

I'll vote b&w also -- the pen really pops in b&w and gets a little muddled in the color version. Great shot here and the ones in the Zeiss thread also!

**jersey** · 05-26-2021, 02:43 AM - **1 Like**

Color, but then I am a bit into fountain pens and in mono this Waterman looks a bit like cheap version with steel nib, not plated one. Mono looks "cheaper", while color adds a touch of glamour to the pen.

MikeMcE · 05-26-2021, 12:16 PM

I like both , what makes the difference to me is the warmth the color adds. Possibly toning would make the B/W special to me.

Hang up and DRIVE!

vijaykishan · 06-01-2021, 12:50 AM

Originally posted by Peter Rockstroh

Nice composition. In this case I think the color image offsets the pen more and gives it a tad more intensity
In the B&W version the pen doesn’t stand out that much

Originally posted by Kendra59

I would have to agree the colour version has more impact. Nice photo either way!

Originally posted by caliscouser

Nicely done. I think the color works better.

Originally posted by MikeMcE

I like both , what makes the difference to me is the warmth the color adds. Possibly toning would make the B/W special to me.

Thanks Peter, Kendra59 , MikeMcE and caliscouser; The red indeed creates a nice colourful backdrop on which the pen stands out.

MikeMcE - Need your help to understand, and if possible some tips on the tonality - you might be onto something here - thanks in advance.

Originally posted by tuco

Still Life? Where is the life

I'd say product photography and I like the color.

You are right; that was a mistake; unless it is taken metaphorically

Originally posted by Sir Nameless

I'll be the contrarian and vote B&W. I don't find that the color adds anything, and I really like the look of the shiny plastic and metal in mono.

Originally posted by travelswsage

I'll vote b&w also -- the pen really pops in b&w and gets a little muddled in the color version. Great shot here and the ones in the Zeiss thread also!

Thank you both - you are right, the pen seems to be popping up in the B/W. It is interesting that some of us go with colour, and others the B/W. I thought I was the only one on the fence

Originally posted by jersey

Color, but then I am a bit into fountain pens and in mono this Waterman looks a bit like cheap version with steel nib, not plated one. Mono looks "cheaper", while color adds a touch of glamour to the pen.

Yes, it is the Waterman Exception with a Rhodium coated 18k Gold nib. I suppose only fountain pen afficionados will notice that

**Michail_P** · 06-01-2021, 11:28 PM - **1 Like**

I'll also go with the BW choice. The color version is also nice, especially the cyan/red contrast that boosts the shiny tip of the pen, but I'd say that the red itself, in addition to the upper-left corner of that bottle, is quite distracting. On the other hand, the BW is more forgiving , given the successful composition with the axis of the pen going to the upper right. There's enough detail and nice focus. The pen is beautiful.

**Serkevan** · 06-03-2021, 08:10 AM - **1 Like**

I'd go with the BW one, but I'd change a bit the red channel to lighten the box's interior - I think that would make the pen itself stand out a bit more.
As others have said already, the composition is great.

**Fdooch** · 06-04-2021, 02:17 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by vijaykishan

Which one do you prefer and why ? I'm a bit on the fence. OTOH, if happy to receive comments/critique on both. Thank you

In a color image, red has an unpleasant dirty tint. If you adjust the color of the bottle cap closer to the color of the bottle itself, it will look better.
But both photos are damaged by dust. Such photographs must be flawless in terms of cleanliness.
Black and white images always look good. But in your case, the highlights are too contrasting. There are no gradients in them.

vijaykishan · 06-04-2021, 02:58 PM

Originally posted by Fdooch

In a color image, red has an unpleasant dirty tint. If you adjust the color of the bottle cap closer to the color of the bottle itself, it will look better.
But both photos are damaged by dust. Such photographs must be flawless in terms of cleanliness.
Black and white images always look good. But in your case, the highlights are too contrasting. There are no gradients in them.

That is indeed a fair and honest critique - Thank you and you are right. Dust especially is a major distraction and despite my best effort, some did creep in.

05-22-2021, 10:57 AM - 2 Likes	#1
vijaykishan Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2021 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,006	Colour or B/W ? Lens: Carlzeiss Makro Planar 100mm F2 Camera: Pentax K5 Photo Location: Home ISO: 160 Shutter Speed: 1/10s Aperture: F4 Which one do you prefer and why ? I'm a bit on the fence. OTOH, if happy to receive comments/critique on both. Thank you

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05-22-2021, 02:29 PM - 1 Like	#2
Peter Rockstroh Admiral Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Bogota Posts: 445	Nice composition. In this case I think the color image offsets the pen more and gives it a tad more intensity In the B&W version the pen doesn’t stand out that much

05-22-2021, 10:07 PM	#3
tuco Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Pugetopolis Posts: 11,032	Still Life? Where is the life I'd say product photography and I like the color.

05-23-2021, 08:16 PM - 1 Like	#4
Kendra59 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: Kelowna, BC, Canada Posts: 187	I would have to agree the colour version has more impact. Nice photo either way!

05-23-2021, 08:39 PM	#5
caliscouser Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,037	Nicely done. I think the color works better.

05-24-2021, 07:35 AM - 1 Like	#6
Sir Nameless Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Mass a chew sits Photos: Gallery Posts: 574	I'll be the contrarian and vote B&W. I don't find that the color adds anything, and I really like the look of the shiny plastic and metal in mono.

05-25-2021, 05:24 PM - 1 Like	#7
travelswsage Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2016 Posts: 385	I'll vote b&w also -- the pen really pops in b&w and gets a little muddled in the color version. Great shot here and the ones in the Zeiss thread also!

05-26-2021, 02:43 AM - 1 Like	#8
jersey Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: 3City agglomeration Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,063	Color, but then I am a bit into fountain pens and in mono this Waterman looks a bit like cheap version with steel nib, not plated one. Mono looks "cheaper", while color adds a touch of glamour to the pen.

05-26-2021, 12:16 PM	#9
MikeMcE Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2020 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,093	I like both , what makes the difference to me is the warmth the color adds. Possibly toning would make the B/W special to me. Hang up and DRIVE!

06-01-2021, 12:50 AM	#10
vijaykishan Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2021 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,006 Original Poster	Originally posted by Peter Rockstroh Nice composition. In this case I think the color image offsets the pen more and gives it a tad more intensity In the B&W version the pen doesn’t stand out that much Originally posted by Kendra59 I would have to agree the colour version has more impact. Nice photo either way! Originally posted by caliscouser Nicely done. I think the color works better. Originally posted by MikeMcE I like both , what makes the difference to me is the warmth the color adds. Possibly toning would make the B/W special to me. Thanks Peter, Kendra59 , MikeMcE and caliscouser; The red indeed creates a nice colourful backdrop on which the pen stands out. MikeMcE - Need your help to understand, and if possible some tips on the tonality - you might be onto something here - thanks in advance. Originally posted by tuco Still Life? Where is the life I'd say product photography and I like the color. You are right; that was a mistake; unless it is taken metaphorically Originally posted by Sir Nameless I'll be the contrarian and vote B&W. I don't find that the color adds anything, and I really like the look of the shiny plastic and metal in mono. Originally posted by travelswsage I'll vote b&w also -- the pen really pops in b&w and gets a little muddled in the color version. Great shot here and the ones in the Zeiss thread also! Thank you both - you are right, the pen seems to be popping up in the B/W. It is interesting that some of us go with colour, and others the B/W. I thought I was the only one on the fence Originally posted by jersey Color, but then I am a bit into fountain pens and in mono this Waterman looks a bit like cheap version with steel nib, not plated one. Mono looks "cheaper", while color adds a touch of glamour to the pen. Yes, it is the Waterman Exception with a Rhodium coated 18k Gold nib. I suppose only fountain pen afficionados will notice that

06-01-2021, 11:28 PM - 1 Like	#11
Michail_P Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Kalymnos Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,006	I'll also go with the BW choice. The color version is also nice, especially the cyan/red contrast that boosts the shiny tip of the pen, but I'd say that the red itself, in addition to the upper-left corner of that bottle, is quite distracting. On the other hand, the BW is more forgiving , given the successful composition with the axis of the pen going to the upper right. There's enough detail and nice focus. The pen is beautiful.

06-03-2021, 08:10 AM - 1 Like	#12
Serkevan Site Supporter Join Date: May 2019 Photos: Albums Posts: 5,976	I'd go with the BW one, but I'd change a bit the red channel to lighten the box's interior - I think that would make the pen itself stand out a bit more. As others have said already, the composition is great.

06-04-2021, 02:17 PM - 1 Like	#13
Fdooch Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Moscow Photos: Albums Posts: 764	Originally posted by vijaykishan Which one do you prefer and why ? I'm a bit on the fence. OTOH, if happy to receive comments/critique on both. Thank you In a color image, red has an unpleasant dirty tint. If you adjust the color of the bottle cap closer to the color of the bottle itself, it will look better. But both photos are damaged by dust. Such photographs must be flawless in terms of cleanliness. Black and white images always look good. But in your case, the highlights are too contrasting. There are no gradients in them.

06-04-2021, 02:58 PM	#14
vijaykishan Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2021 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,006 Original Poster	Originally posted by Fdooch In a color image, red has an unpleasant dirty tint. If you adjust the color of the bottle cap closer to the color of the bottle itself, it will look better. But both photos are damaged by dust. Such photographs must be flawless in terms of cleanliness. Black and white images always look good. But in your case, the highlights are too contrasting. There are no gradients in them. That is indeed a fair and honest critique - Thank you and you are right. Dust especially is a major distraction and despite my best effort, some did creep in.

Still Life Colour or B/W ?

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