I like the composition and story being told (one of your strengths). You do lose some detail between the two photos and the contrast does seem higher in the B&W than in the color version, this may be more the process you used than a concious decision. I like the scene and think that the B&W can still produce a good mood, play with it some. Try varying amounts of level adjustments trying increasing the shadows instead of the high lights. You will still have a high contrast image but you might get back some of your details. Also think about adding some film grain. A nice grainy texture might work well here.
Guest
21-Sep-2004 01:31
I like the color version better: it seems that you went for extreme contrast in the black-and-white conversion and lost some details but, more importantly, you lost the slightly gloomy, grimy look of the photo that makes it successful. The high-contrast black-and-white sterilizes the shot.
Look at the dirt on the bricks near the doorway and the green moss growing on the sidewalk where the water must perpetually seep. This is a great, subtle picture of loneliness in a setting of urban decay.
For me, the contrasty black-and-white version sweeps too much of that away.
