Torn between color and B&W

[gerafotografija]

I am having trouble deciding between the color and monochrome versions of an image I captured recently. This was an early morning shot along the Russian River near Cazadero.



I was initially interested in the deep greens mixed with an overlay of white mist. However, after coming back to it a few more times, I find the impact of this slightly higher contrast B&W version to be winning me over due to the intense feeling of impressionist or maybe even earlier romantic era painting it seems to invoke.



Let me know what you think. Thanks!

[WalterEG]

This is a little different to most Mono/Colour considerations because in this case the two versions are distinctly different statements.  Maybe you simply have to determine just which story you wish to tell. Both are enigmatic. Each is wonderful.

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

As a big fan of BW, I prefer the color version here. For my taste the contrast is a bit too high in the BW version. Just my take on it.
Very pleasing shot!

Eric M.

[louoates]

Color wins for me too.

[francois]

There's more details in the color version and the constrast on the B&W image is too high, as Eric wrote above.
So, for me it's the color version.

[Riccardo]

I also prefer the color version. I also wonder if the image in black and white is intelligible without seeing the color version. Have you tried to submit to someone just the image in black and white?

[gerafotografija]

Thanks a lot everyone, I guess I'll try a couple things.

I'll see if I can leave a little more detail in the reflections in the water for the black and white version, probably by lowering the contrast a bit, and then maybe take only that one to some people who haven't seen the color version yet.

[RSL]

Color - hands down.

[Riccardo]

In any case, in the black and white version there is less truth, because what impressed you were the deep greens, which in the BW version are obviously completely lost.
Would you betray your vision for success? 

[nemo295]

Given the choice between color and the b&w conversion you've offered, I would definitely go with the color version.

However, I think I would try an alternate interpretation in monochrome before making a final decision. The one you've provided us with is a little too dark and ominous looking for my taste.

Something like this, perhaps.

[DwayneOakes]

B/W vs color is subjective.
But B/W excels at showing texture, not much texture in your image so color would be the better choice here.
If you are nature photographer there is a lot of texture in nature with wood grain, bark and rocks. Also if your
subject is all white etc a flower or a bird against a black background can look stunning in B/W.

PS I don't mean to take over your thread just want to help, so think texture
on your next b/w photo shoot.

Here is a sample of texture and an all white subject: