Perched Peregrine Falcon color or B&W

[FastGlassGuy]

I am curious which version people prefer. Color, B&W, neither or both. Brutal honesty is not only appreciated but is encouraged. Thanks, Ken

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

 

[Rixpx]

I like the color better

 

[Woody Meristem]

Always color.

 

[MikePDX]

In terms of "brutal honesty", I would say that, on my screen at least, the slightly warm tone of the background on the B&W version isn't doing you any favors. Maybe that's just me. So if that was your intent, feel free to ignore this comment.

 

[Barbara]

Color.

 

[FastGlassGuy]

I like the color better

Thanks for your input.

 

[FastGlassGuy]

Color.

Thanks for your input. Ken

 

[FastGlassGuy]

In terms of "brutal honesty", I would say that, on my screen at least, the slightly warm tone of the background on the B&W version isn't doing you any favors. Maybe that's just me. So if that was your intent, feel free to ignore this comment.

Mike: To me that is one of the "problems" with digital photographs and computer monitors. On my screen it is basically white. Evidently, on your monitor it looks like sepia toned? That was not my intent. Thanks for the comment. Ken

 

[Anjin San]

I prefer color about 99.5% of the time…it's a rare image that I prefer B&W.

 

[ButlerKid]

Mike: To me that is one of the "problems" with digital photographs and computer monitors. On my screen it is basically white. Evidently, on your monitor it looks like sepia toned? That was not my intent. Thanks for the comment. Ken

FWIW - The whites in the B&W rendering look yellowish/pale sepia on my calibrated monitor. Check the RBG values of the background.

 

[JanH]

I like using B&W in many other forms of photography - not as a rule but as an artistic possibility - but when it comes to wildlife B&W is an exception for me. Usually B&W either adds something special to the image or more often color isn't working well because there are some distracting colors in the background etc.

I am actually interested in why it is that most of us seem to use almost always color in wildlife photography. Is it because we try to capture nature's beauty or grandeur, which we experience best in color?

 

[FastGlassGuy]

FWIW - The whites in the B&W rendering look yellowish/pale sepia on my calibrated monitor. Check the RBG values of the background.

Karen: Thanks for the information. I guess I have to calibrate my monitor, because it looks fairly white on my computer monitor. Ken

 

[AnnetteJane]

My preference is color.

 

[Bruce]

Beautiful creature! Color much preferred.

 

[Neil H.]

Hi Ken!
I think the very grey day worked against you with your colour image. I recently took images of this bird late in the afternoon in lovely light. In looking at 2 frames that I liked side by side I decided to do a composite. I think this shows the colours that come out in decent light (first image below). Your B&W has a very sepia background on my screen. For B&W I have been encouraged to make blacks black and whites white. I suspect your B&W has no pure black or white. I also append a B&W image of an Australian Hobby in an attempt to illustrate. I will not know if a comparison with your B&W will work until I post it. (There is a difference but I now think my screen does need calibrating - so thanks!!) In answer to your query, I think you were right to consider B&W for this cloudy day colour image. Make that Bkgd white and get some pure black into the bird and see what happens.

Peregrine 2 farme composite.

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

Australian Hobby.

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

 

[MattOZW]

In the pictures you show I prefer the colour because the grey stump overpowers the image. If you cropped most of that out you would have a better image. For monochrome wildlife I would use an almost white background and a bird with a lot of contrast and texture. Otherwise as most contributors say colour is usually more impactful with wildlife

 

[CentralCoast]

I like the bandw image. It reminds me of a japanese wood block

 

[FastGlassGuy]

Thank you to everyone that took the time to comment. I really appreciate it. I also learned that I need to calibrate my monitor. Not to beat a dead horse, and no comments are necessary (but feel free if you want too) I revised the B&W version. This version is a much more high-key look. Ken

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.