Silver Lake Driftwood + Original color version

Toni, I think the B&W is very successful. I bet the detail on a large print is wonderful.

Thank you, Chuck. I haven't had it printed yet, but I think you're right. Looking at the image at even 50% size, I'm liking what I see when it comes to the details.

I like the B&W. I get lost in this one quite easily... which I like!

I agree with Jeff. A lot of interesting elements all over the frame that hold your interest. I'd like to see the original in color for a comparison. I like the conversion a lot!

Thanks!

Brian...If I get the chance this weekend, I'll see about finding the original color version on my backup HD.

Awesome in the B&W, Toni. Love the textures and the tonal contrasts. My eye is really pulled through and around nicely. Love it. It almost looks like you did some "liquify" filter on it

Here is the original color version. It will be very interesting to see what others' opinions are regarding the difference between the B&W and color versions.

No filter of any sort, Beth..
.thanks! :)

Thanks for posting the color version, Toni. I think I like the BW a bit better because I don't notice the shadows as much. I think a reflector or fill flash would help, but perhaps the light was very contrasty and you already were using these to help with the shadows. Either way, that is one gnarly chunk of weathered driftwood, and you did a great job taking advantage of this wonderful subject.

I like it, Toni. Might be fun to see the color version for comparison. I never seem to be able to "see" in B&W and am always impressed when others do it well!

Hmn. Weird. I didn't see any of the commments or the color version when I posted this today. Thought I was an early commenter :-).

The contrarian in me likes the color version (but I like color anyway). But here, I really like the light and shadow that appears to be more pronounced in the color version.

Both are wonderful images, Toni

Excellent graphical abstract, Toni. Great choice for B&W except that there is no pure white in the frame (which is OK).

Thank you. I do like the warm tones of the color version, brought out by the early evening sunshine.

Brian....I don't know if reflectors or flash would have improved the image any...but I'm pretty sure neither one would have shown any details in the dark recesses of the driftwood.

Ram...the wood on the left side of the image was almost white in the B&W version, but then that area appeared too bright so I toned the whole image down a bit.

Andy...if you scroll down a bit, you'll see the original color version. It took me a long time to "see" black and white and to learn that it takes certain subjects for it to work.

Great idea to convert it to B&W. You did a good job with the B&W conversion but I like the color version better.

Thank you, Phil :)

I'm a bit late to the party, but so what?

Absolutely the right choice (IMO) to convert to b/w, Toni. The pattern, lines, form and details all come out far more emphatically in black & white than color. You certainly could ramp up the contrast, but that's entirely a matter of taste.

Thanks Kerry.
For what it's worth, I entered this image (the color version) in our local camera club's competition this week, with the category being Textures in Nature. I can happily report that it received high honors!