Selective Colour in B&W Images

I spotted this tree growing in Crotia and liked the look of it for a potential "selective colour" B&W image. I'd welcome comments on both the approach and the result!

I have to agree

Yup.

I can't understand what all the fuss is about. If someone likes colour pop images what's the problem with this? Personally it's something I hardly ever use, but I don't think we should get precious about it. I put some images on the forum recently that I shot in the Mediterranean and among them was an image that wasn't colour-popped as such, but was 1/3 colour and 2/3 black and white, with the sunset sky being in colour. I only posted this particular image as I knew it would provoke reactions and I was right!

Colour pop does nothing for the image above, but I have no objections to it or to most other techniques anyone cares to use. In fact I would much prefer a colour pop to a replaced sky as at least it is obvious it has been done without the photographer having to own up to it, which not many seem to do when it comes to adding in skies that weren't really there.

Regards
David

I don't think we are making a fuss, just offering an opinion

I think the "colour pop" is overwhelmed by the rest of the image and looks more of an error. I am not anti colour pop

Like those long exposure seascapes it has become a cliche where the medium has become the message.

Schindlering....

Hi Gareth, I wasn't referring in particular to this thread, but more to a recent history of threads on this subject, some of which got quite nasty and resulted in things being said and done which have no place on the forum or this website. I don't know whether or not you read the other threads, so I don't know if you are aware of this.

The danger on Forums is for comments to be read in isolation and this can lead to misunderstandings. I know there will be a lot of members who are aware of the other threads on colour-popping and may understand why I made the comments about 'fuss'.

Regards
David

Cheers Gareth, I should have made it clear when I made the comments that I wasn't referring to your post or to any other observations on this thread.

I can't really understand why some people get so upset by colour popping, regardless of whether it is fashionable or whether someone likes it or not. Some of the feelings and actions prompted by other threads have been completely out of proportion and inappropriate to a 'friendly' forum such as this one.

Regards
David

Two colour pop images were posted in my recent "Devon 2" thread, link, complete with their full-colour images, as it seemed to me to work well for those subjects. However, there were no comments regarding the application of the technique there, so I have no idea whether other members considered it appropriate or just naff.

Philip

I think it would be a very good idea to concentrate on this thread and forget previous arguments elsewhere. Just let it go and move on.

I don't actually mind the selective colour here! It highlights the fresh leaves which otherwise might have been lost against the bare wood.

No one said it's a problem to like them. And equally if someone hates colour popping what's the problem with that either.

I hate sprouts, liquorice, extreme HDR, colour popping and mangos. It doesn't bother me if someone else like those foods and processing of satan.


Indeed, so why complain about similar reactions against the image in this thread, which incidentally also isn't colour popped such, when you deliberately posted one to catalyse a similar reaction?

I thought your "not colour-popped as such" image was hideous and I think this "not colour-popped as such" image is also hideous.

While I don't think they are quite as hideous, those long exposure seascape images Ken mentioned above are travelling at a steady pace from the category of mildly crass to nauseatingly nauseous.

All these type of images are just the sort of thing you'll see being sold as tacky prints in a cheap plastic frame for £5.99 on one of those temporary stalls that are allowed to trade in the concourse at Tesco Extra. Along with "little kid with tear in it's eye", "Snow leapords", "HDR of Manhattan skyline" and "David Beckham"



I'm not precious about it, neither am I upset. I don't make any of these comments in anger or malice, I'm smiling as I type. You posted your "not colour-popped as such" image as a bit of fun to provoke a reaction so nothing wrong with a bit of light hearted lambasting of hideous "not colour-popped as such" images in this thread surely?

And yes 'replaced skies' are hideous too, and as you say, because they are usually intended to be sneaky rather than upfront they are double hideous

I would try the image again as I think its main problem is being too "airy" overall. I'd be thinking of darkening the black and white right down to increase the drama, then if required making the coloured plant more subtle.

This could work but at the moment isn't IMHO quite there yet.