Warmth

Wow that is a hard choice. I think you are right that the black and white accentuates the mood but I think I slightly prefer the color version. In the black and white my eye travels around the image more but in the color those gorgeous eyes grab and hold my eyes. The black and white tells more about the relationship between the two while the color focuses on the baby. Both are gorgeous images that are well thought out and applied. Details are superb. Excellent work.

Great series Sandipan! Honestly I like the color version a lot better in this case. However, a different B&W version could possibly change that. Maybe some more contrast and more shadow detail or alternatively darkening it to emphasize the rim lighting could produce a more powerful B&W. Of course this is just my opinion and I know some like B&W's with more subtle grey tones. Excellent image either way!

Beautiful shots, Sandipan! I have looked at both images back and forth and I like the colored version the best,
Somehow the black eyes stand out much more in this one. And the pink color and the details in the wrinkles add to the cuteness of the colored version.

Very beautiful Sandipan. I like the lighting very much.

Hello Sandipan,
I like the color version alright, but the B&W knocks my socks off. The softness of the tonal range adds to the emotion and mood you speak of. The image is deffinantly enhanced by the conversion IMO.
I LOVE THIS SERIES! This one, perhaps, best!
Well Done!
Neil

The series has been quite nice. In this case I think I prefer the color. My favorite overall is the first in BW with just the eye showing past mom's arm.

Black and white for me, without any doubt. A wonderful moment captured with stunning details.

Paolo

Both are simply endearing, but I think you are right about the BW vs color to enhance the focus on the emotional content. When I view the BW, all sorts of feelings and emotions come to mind. Not so much with the color version. With that one, I can only think, "naked and cold." But with the BW comes "safety, protection, cuddling, nurture, care, mothering, tenderness, curiosity, vulnerability... Well, I could go on. What a fabulous shot and a great decision to take this one to BW.

First, the series has been awe inspiring! As to a choice in this image, b&w definitely carries the connection of mother/child to a much more initimate level than the color version. Love the position of the arms.

I like both images Sandipan and think each image brings out different emotions for me. But for this partivular shot, I feel the color brings out much more emotion with the eyes. However, your first shot of this series, I can't imagine the color version being better.

Hello Sandipan,

Both are great, but I'm with you in your decision to go B&W here (to accentuate mood and emotions). But, I think Sally made a great point how the colour version has more appealing eyes (and to me the #1 draw on the B&W is the draw of the very light hairline along the leg that leads to the head). My suggestion would be to re-work the B&W a little to draw a little more attention to the eyes (I'd try slightly lightening the face and darkening the eyes just a tad more, i.e., selectively bump the brightness difference in this region).

But as posted both are great images - very, very well done...

Cheers...

Brad

Both versions are awesome! It took me a while to figure out which one I found more appealing, but the color version seems to hold my interest more than the B&W. The only nit I have is the OOF object in the llc...I'd bet that most won't even notice it since the rest of the image is so powerful. Great job!

That's a tough choice, as I find them both appealing. B&W increases the impact by simplifying the image & evoking the mood, where as colour adds another dimension by emphasising the reddishness of baby monkey's skin.
As the mother nature is all colour, my vote naturally goes to colour.
Jagdeep Rajput

Very nice....beautiful animal and very emotive shot, I agree that the B&W accentuates the overall effect the picture conjures up, but the color shot is just as wonderful. Great job.

I absolutely love the b&w version. The baby looks very relaxed and safe. The facial expression and the backlit fur on the forearm is just great. Definitely fine art.
Kathy

Beautiful series of shots.
The B and W is spectacular in it's own right, but I prefer the color becuase of the soft pink skin that acentuates the eyes and fine wrinkles.
Congrats on the EP!
Sandy r

Thanks everybody for candid comments. Whether or not B&W is more appropriate aesthetically for similar images is always a matter of personal preference. It's truly inspiring to see how everybody expressed their feeling towards this image. Proud to be associated with such a wonderful forum.
My sincere thanks to moderators for the selection.

I Love them both and can't choose a favorite. Amazing image ,Congratulations

A tender moment in nature captured in the most excellent way. Congrats on the EP!