Color or what?

[David Eckels]

I have been re-working an image from a few years back using Tony Kuyper's Action Panels for luminosity masking (terrific tool by the way, highly recommended). Trying to decide between the color or split tone version.

Modification: Smaller file sizes for faster download

[RSL]

It's mainly a study in graphics, David, so I'd opt for the B&W. But how large are these files? You don't gain anything by making them much over 500K, and it's a relatively long download if you make 'em big.

[David Eckels]

I am with you Russ. The file size is 3MB. I posted thes jpeg at 100% quality, usually I am at 60% and a size of 1MB. I will re-post them at the smaller file size; didn't realize the download time hit.

[Jeremy Roussak]

Definitely what. The colour adds nothing.

Jeremy

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

Another vote for "what."

[churly]

I'm going against the grain on this one.  I think the color adds life to this shot that just doesn't happen in the 'what'.
Chuck

[32BT]

Color, just not this color. Need a bit more greenish warmth in the WB and perhaps slightly darker overall so it looks like deep in the forrest.

[Farmer]

For me, the mono lacks a bit of depth and is slightly flat (but not in a overall tone sense, but in a specific and local sense for each element compared to the others), whereas the colour definitely has front to back movement in viewing.  If you could achieve the same look of depth in the mono, I think that would be the best version.

[BradSmith]

And I think the mono is too crunchy.

[David Eckels]

Thanks for the comments. I think I had been looking at them too long. And Brad, the "too crunchy" comment made me investigate further. I agreed, but thought it was from the jpeg compression, but then I realized when I imported the jpeg images into LR from PS, my usual PP settings for NEFs had been applied automatically; I missed that. Anyway, I reset those  Sorry for my confusion!
The three attached here had a bit of split toning applied; blue recedes, yellow advances. Also, a re-work of a more monotone image (BW-2)

[Jeremy Roussak]

Thanks for the comments. I think I had been looking at them too long. And Brad, the "too crunchy" comment made me investigate further. I agreed, but thought it was from the jpeg compression, but then I realized when I imported the jpeg images into LR from PS, my usual PP settings for NEFs had been applied automatically; I missed that. Anyway, I reset those  Sorry for my confusion!
The three attached here had a bit of split toning applied; blue recedes, yellow advances. Also, a re-work of a more monotone image (BW-2)

David, that's certainly an improved colour image. I still prefer it in b&w, though; and BW is better than BW-2, I think.

Jeremy

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

I agree that these are all improved, but I am now coming over to the Color side (or the Colour side if you don't speak American.)

Eric

[Farmer]

I agree that these are all improved, but I am now coming over to the Color side (or the Colour side if you don't speak American.)

+1 (only because of the inclusion of "colour") ;-)

[Harald L]

I would opt for the coloured one. For me green is an essential part of any forrest. It sets the mood and adds a lot of atmosphere.

Harald