misty swell, 2021, both B&W and color

[Matt_Lancaster]

Critique Style Requested: Initial Reaction

Please share your immediate response to the image before reading the photographer’s intent (obscured text below) or other comments. The photographer seeks a genuinely unbiased first impression.

Questions to guide your feedback

The 2 different renderings give this photo such different emotional impressions. What is your preference between them and why?

Other Information

Please leave your feedback before viewing the blurred information below, once you have replied, click to reveal the text and see if your assessment aligns with the photographer. Remember, this if for their benefit to learn what your unbiased reaction is.

Technical Details

Camera settings:

Basic panel in LR:

Specific Feedback

Aesthetic: Does the mix of warm & cool light in the color version bother you at all or appear unnatural?

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Critique Template

Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.

• Vision and Purpose:
• Conceptual:
• Emotional Impact and Mood:
• Composition:
• Balance and Visual Weight:
• Depth and Dimension:
• Color:
• Lighting:
• Processing:
• Technical:

[Willemd (Alexander Willem Degroot)]

Both versions look nice, but I find I definitely like the B&W version better. The shade of blue doesn’t look natural to me.

[Ed_Williams]

Matt, these are both great. I actually like the color version better as it more closely represents the sea. The B&W version makes me think of misty clouds in the sky with rocky peaks sticking up through them. Great compositions both ways.

[Ed_Lowe]

Matt,
First off I do not think you can go wrong with either version. I do find the soft lighting on the rock to be sublime and it shows up beautifully in both images. After toggling back and forth a few times I think my favorite is the B&W as it just seems to have more mood; at least in my opinion. Nicely done!

[Matt_Lancaster]

@Willemd , @Ed_Williams , @Ed_Lowe , Thank you for your feedback and your compliments.