An updated processing including converting to black and white.
2006
A similar shot in color 10 years later that I shared here previously.
Often it is better to go one way or the other but once in awhile an image works both ways. Do you agree or prefer one over the other?
Stephen Gingold Nature Photography Blog 
In terms of mood, the monochrome, especially with the mist in the background. In terms of movement, the color one seems to convey motion to me Steve.
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Thanks for the critique, Denzil! Each does have its plus and minus.
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Both work for me. I particularly like the foggy forest at the top of the first one, primeval!
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Thanks, Eliza! Aside from the obvious interest of the foreground stump and, of course, the cascade, The upper section in both appeal to me, the fog in the black and white and the warmth of the light in color.
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The black and white is so much more dramatic, but the colour version is soothing – room on the walls for both
Rod
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Hi, Rod! Great to hear from you. I hope all is well and blogging just became less important compared to other things. I wish I did have room on our walls.
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I think both versions look good. I like the B&W one best, it makes the water more prominent.
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Thanks, Tom! I think I prefer the B&W also for the fog as well as the graphic quality but it’s a hard choice.
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I think both work nicely; I really like the dramatic effect in b/w.
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Thanks, Belinda! It’s a great little spot and I hope the stump endures for awhile longer.
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They are both gorgeous!
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Thanks, Lynette!
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I prefer colour images when the task is to bring out the delicate nuances in the sunlit forest details.
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Thanks, Peter. For most of my photography life I have always preferred color but have learned to appreciate what some images can express in monochrome. Fortunately I think this works both ways.
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Both look great but there is less to distract from the water in the B&W version, giving it more drama. (I do like the warm colours of the other version though!)
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Thanks, Ann! I am glad both appeal and agree with your critique of the black and white version.
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Both work for me. The two large objects in the foreground make the images attractive, literally and figuratively.
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The stump has obviously endured the constant pressure of flowing water for many years and the image definitely and obviously would not be the same without it. The rocks is likely not going anywhere. Thanks!
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both are wonderful. If I HAD to choose, I would go with the B and W. Isn’t it interesting that the B and W seems, as many have commented, more dramatic. Not quite sure why that is.
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I think removing color does add some drama in certain situations. A brilliant sunrise would likely lose something as usually do flowers, but many other subjects lines and shapes lose some attention because the color demands more. Thanks for commenting!
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This is a perfect example (for myself, anyway) of why I prefer color over black and white. The B&W image looks flat and dead to me, while the color version is filled with life and movement. Maybe I’m just not able to look at images with a ‘photographer’s eye.’ For example, Tom mentioned that the B&W makes the water more prominent. To me, it looks overblown, and not as natural as the color.
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I don’t think you lack a photographer’s eye at all, Linda. Your photography disputes that strongly. But it’s an individual taste and preference. As long as you like one of them I am happy.
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I tend to agree with what a lot of people said about the black and white image, that it’s more dramatic, more focused, maybe simpler or starker in the emotional range, so is more intense? Haunting even?
The color image is gentler and has more depth through diversity, it conveys a range of emotion to me. The water becomes more inviting to linger by and more intimate. Which one would tempt you to stick your hands or feet in the water?
But I like both of them, they are quite different and wonderfully illustrate what the two modes of tonal qualities can do.
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Thanks for such a thorough and thoughtful critique, Melody! I’d love to have been standing within earshot of that at one of my gallery shows. 🙂 Each does have different qualities for mood and graphic structure. I am not entirely sure which I prefer.
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Once upon a time, to create a photograph we would not have had the choice of reproducing it in color as we saw it. We would need to work at enhancing tones and adjusting the subtleties of black, gray and white. Your first image evokes those times when photographers had to be as adept at chemistry as much as artistry.
The second image allows the viewer to see what you saw and our lazy brains are thankful.
My own opinion is both are equally magnificent! I don’t need to think about why, I just know what I like.
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“I know what I like” is generally what matters most, in many cases, Wally. That someone likes either or both tickles me and I appreciate that. I did some chemistry in my own darkroom for awhile and have to admit I was clumsy and don’t miss it at all. The decision to go digital was made for me by some apparently also clumsy tech at Kodak labs after one of my trips to Acadia. A roll of film in exchange for lost images really didn’t make my heart flutter.
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Ouch.
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Stunning!
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Thanks, Khürt!
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The foggy background and B&W conversion create a somber but effective mood!
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Thanks! Black and white is my preference too but figured some would like the color better.
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