I know we have so color vs black and white camps. What do you think works best here?
Also - help a layman out - is this seamless background? I've been trying to figure out what that is based on the contest entries but the vast majority of what is there is similar to this image which I would say has no background. ??
PS - not sure why the B/W is uploading a little soft focus.
B&W!!!!!!!!!!!!!! for sure
Color one is better IMO.
It can also be considered as a seamless background, but for me it is a just some kind of isolation on black background.
Color for me. I love B&W images but in this case, I don't think conversion does anything to strengthen the image (for me).
I can't say I'm in either camp - I try to judge color and B&W on what each brings to the image.
Like Radisa I think the background can be considered seamless. As there's absolutely no detail/shadow gradation in it so there could be anything back there that is hidden by the (under) exposure.
Colour. It's a nice delicate image. I like the lighting on the stem too.
Thanks David!
I can't choose between the two, Ruth - both appeal in different ways and both well done. Shame to lose that colour, though!
I think the "seamless background" is the long roll of material hung especially behind studio portrait subjects, and sometimes continued, curving smoothly towards the camera on the floor, even right under the subject. Imagine wallpaper continuing as carpet on reaching the floor. So it is LITERALLY a seamless background. Pros keep various rolls on hand. They can be patterned, forest scenes, different colours, etc, etc, and shown with different levels of sharpness depending on DOF. Paler ones can be selectively lit to produce a tonal gradient behind the subject, or coloured ones with gels over the strobes. Pseudo-sunlight patterns are projected on to them with venetian blind or palm-leaf shadow effects. And so it goes contrivedly on.
In general, they give that "professional", "studio" look.
This is what I thought as well but became confused based on the entries, most of which appear to have no background. Thanks!