Manzanita Metallic

I like both and really don't have a preference. I think you could push the contrast up with this one and get a little more pop, but that is in the personal preference realm. Both versions are real nice. 

I like this one considerably more than the colored version. The llc and the hrc bothered me in the colored version where they gave a sense of a chopped subject. But here they seem to play no role. This an abstract and the other was manzanita bark and that appears to be the difference. I agree that further processing to give it a more metallic look might be interesting.

Definitely this one, Preston.  You've got that wonderful metallic sheen here, and that's not easy to achieve.  I think it depends somewhat on the image you start with, but it makes for a wonderful "silver image" look.  The contrast is looking good to me. This makes for a fantastic abstract.

I can't decide either on which one I like best.  Both have their own likeable qualities.  That said, the color version is more striking but the B&W has a classic silver look about it.

Preston, this is outstanding.  I remember a similar image from you a while back.  The bark curls remind me of chocolate shavings.  Love the metallic vibe here.  Excellent.

Hey Preston,

Of course I really like both of them.  If I had to choose, I pick this one, the b&w.  Why? I'll tell you why and it's very similar to Igor's reason or response.  In the color version, there is a strip of rough bark in the URC; almost looks like there is some moss on it.  Anyway, it wasn't worth mentioning in the color version, but the two corners are not as relevant - meaning they are not detracting from the shapes and interest of the peeling bark.

The b&w as presented seems spot on to me.  But there are seemingly countless options on where you could take this.  I have a love/hate thing with Silver Efex Pro2 that I use on occasion for conversions.  There's no art in it per se - you get a whole bunch or pre-determined options and I just never feel like I using any creativity when using the app.  Sure, there are sliders and such, but I'm certainly not adding any artistic value.  Having said that, I'll just repeat that you have many avenues to travel with processing this one.  As processed, this works quite beautifully.

Lon

The texture's look good here, Preston, with the curls popping very well.  Although I'm a big fan of the manzanita color, the extra pop in the curls lets this view compete well with the color version.

Preston, when I saw this and thought about my preference, I immediately thought the color version, just from memory. I love the deep red-brown of the manzanita bark. When I opened the color version, my opinion changed, and I really prefer the b&w. I can't tell you definitively why, but there is just so much beautiful texture in the b&w that isn't as present in the color. And of course that's not to say I don't still like the color, they're just two different things.

This works nice as b&w.  The color version reminds me of chocolate shavings.  Great find.