One area where a bit of creativity can come in is to create black-&-white images from colour ones using the RGB channels selectively. It is the same as using colour filters with B-&-W film, but can be done later.
The first two images here are the same frame, the third made half a minute later; the tones vary using this method.
The final one was taken on another day at the same place, and although conditions were different it shows, I think, how radically an image can alter using this technique.
I've done the same thing in PS with b&w images. Plus playing with simply the color temp/tint controls has an affect. It can make a subtle to distinct changes in a b&w photo. Just that last photo shows how playing with the water color allows it to become front and center almost as if it's about to overpower the land! By the way, my favorite is 3#! Enjoyed reading through all your posts, Chris!
Thanks, Jenny! It's great fun playing around and seeing the image transform before your eyes, isn't it?
Yeah, the last one looks a bit rad. It's not the Black Sea...
My guess is that the sky looking more brooding over the sea makes the third appeal most for you, as the sea here looks more benign than in the others.
I suspect that images like these are way too simple for many people - no boats, no birds.
There is so much that can be done to change the look of a B&W. I often convert just to see what extra I can squeeze out of a shot and to see if I can get anything stronger over the original color version.
I personally prefer the 2nd. It feels it has greater depth that the first - I feel my eye is drawn from the foreground through to the contrasting sky.
#4 just doesn't work for me as I seem to bounce between foreground and sky.
#3 is broody as you suggest, just a bit flatter that #2. It does though accurately covey a grey and miserable day........
I'm not really sold on any of these myself, Alan, but groping for something I've yet to attain. Some simple, "essence" type of image. I want to keep it simple, and not necessarily "photo-realistic". No. 4 is certainly taking things further. I enjoyed playing around, and thought I'd share for illustration mainly.