The Birds

[Deleted]

D300, 50mm f1.8 Nikkor, ISO 400, F8, 1/500 sec.

[renaldo]

What I like about these shots, is the unusualness of the composition. So many people would concentrate entirely on the birds as subject and totally disregard inclusion of any elements that help explain a scenario.

Unless over the years I have missed something with you, I would say...yes, ya now got it!!

[mickeyobe]

Wayne,

In this instance I much prefer the colour photo. It is very dramatic and the pigeon and its shadow are a perfect contrast to the massive man made components.

I find the stark light grey of the background in the black and white picture rather overpowering and too demanding of my attention.

Mickey

[Reiska]

When I took a glance on both pictures to say which I prefer, my choice was the colour photo. Mickey told me why.

The even gray background it is, though that picture tells a story too. My eyes traveled between the pair and the lonely one and I could almost imagine a text in the thought bubbles.

[Deleted]

OK, OK, you're right. Here's the original color version:

[mickeyobe]

Wayne,

Aha! Now it comes to life - thanks to the complimentary colours.

Do you suppose there just might be a place for colour in photography?

Reijo is right.
There is a story there. "The best man won." or "Stay away. I won her fair and square." or "Don't be a chicken. You can do it."

Mickey

[GeneW]

The B&W almost works for me. I think what holds it back is that the birds are so small in the frame. In the col version the yellow crossbeam adds a distinct picture element and the smaller birds fit somehow.

Gene

[Deleted]

Gene:

I always have been a big fan of gray tomes in photos--not much of a high contrast buff. But Mickey was right in this case. And you nailed it on the yellow crossbeam. It is the key element that pulls the rest together.