birds Vogue B & W (Click for larger view)

There are some brilliant bird photographers on this site, so I thought I'd try

something slightly different with this one. High key B & W or colour version

?

Your thoughts and comments are always appreciated. Thank You.

Color is nice but this has pizzazz.  Great detail and I love that over the shoulder look...  Mike 

+1 for what Mike just said.  

A really beautiful black and white result, Alf!

Impossible sharpness, well captured profile and nice bokeh in the background! Well done, Alf, very well done!

Best regards

PDE

Well I stand corrected, this was able to top the color version. The crest is just awesome Alf. Bravo.

Holger

Both versions are visible in My Workspace as I have you marked as "interesting!" . . . "Imagine that!"

Anyway, I do like this B&W version better than the color version and, it appears that I am not alone!

The B&W version really enhances the "crown/crest" and provides some very nice details!

Cheers ineresting friend,

Jim j.

Alf,

  I like both version's, but I think I like the b/w best.  Take care, Patsy

Congratulations on putting your new lens to excellent use, and shooting with it at its maximum aperture produced a wonderfully defocused background. The back of the bird acts as a leading line to the wonderfully sharp head, mind you it takes an eye to crop it this way. I like both versions but the geometry of the B&W is more obvious to my eye.

Sincere compliments.

.

I agree, it does look a bit more "arty farty" : - ) 

I was going for that high key kind of look and it seems like it works! 

Yes, I liked the over the shoulder look too, I think she was giving me the old "come on" .....who said I couldn't pull the birds eh! 

Many Thanks Mike! 

Alf 

BILL

Thank you for your interest and vote of confidence! 

Best Regards 

Alf 

RUUD 

I take that as a great compliment after seeing your B & W work.

Thank You! 

Alf 

PIERRE 

I have seen some very impressive results from people using this lens, and decided to try one for myself. Dimitris Vasilou who has also commented is one of photographers work that I admired using this lens

I decided to try it at its full 500 mm focal length and see what it was capable of, and I have to say I was still impressed., so I bought it! : - ) 

Sincere Thanks Pierre! 

Alf 

HOLGER 

I am glad you looked at the colour version first, as sometimes first impressions can be persuasive.

Many Thanks & Best Regards 

Alf 

JIM 

Me interesting? ........well there's a novelty! : - ) 

I do prefer the B & W version myself, but asking family and friends indicated a preference towards the colour version......very interesting! 

Thanks for taking the time to look at both Jim, your feedback is invaluable and much appreciated! 

Best Regards 

Alf 

PATSY 

Thank you so much!

It would appear there is a consensus of opinion geared in favour of the B & W and I must say I agree too. 

Best Regards 

Alf 

DIMITRIS 

Thank you so much! 

After seeing the impressive results of your work with this lens, I just had to try it myself. 

I used the maximum aperture at the maximum focal length and the results speak for themselves.  I bought the lens, and a second camera body..........I just need someone to carry it all now : - ) 

Sincere Thanks for your most observant and encouraging comments! 

Best Regards 

Alf 

Alf, as much as I like the color version I think the B/W has a certain intrigue associated with it. Really like this one!!!!    AJ

That incredible artist, nature, who creates such masterpieces as this. I prefer the b&w only because it makes me examine all the intricate details indiscriminately. What a beautiful creature. 

Nice work. ~~~~~~L

belongs on a teacup. always shocking beauty from u, my friend. ;-} dp

Color or Black & White.  You and I have had this discussion several times before.  For the most part it is a creative choice, a means to bring out that essence of the subject to your audience.  I this instance, your apparent desire is to showcase the Black Crowned Crane's pom is well suited to the high contrast B/W.  However, to some degree, there is minimal separation between the shades residing in the bird and the background.  In essence, the bird is lost into the background, a gray bird is better seen against a colored background.  My preference is the color version though.  The beautiful scarlet of it's cap and waddle are lost in this image, so too that the pom is not an extension of the prevailing body color,  but a delicate shade of tan.

I see you took the plunge on the Sigma, I don't think you will regret it.  It is light enough even to be handheld for short periods, perfect for birds in flight.  I have enjoyed mine for some time.  Be cautious of the hood though, it is prone to falling off while hiking with the slightest bump, and apt to darken the corners of your image on the full frame sensor that you have.

Best regards...

-Dave

Thank you so much for stating your preference and your reasoning behind it. 

I Just so happen to agree with you! : - ) 

Best Regards 

Alf 

LINDA 

I think the B & W somehow invites closer examination probably because the low contrasting background is far more subtle. But you make a valid point too, the eye is not hi-jacked by colour when looking at this one. 

Sincere Thanks for your thoughtful observations and kind comments! 

Best Regards 

Alf 

DONNA 

Bone china of course Donna : - ) such an elegant tea service this would make! 

Sincere Thanks & Best Regards 

Alf 

DAVE 

We have indeed had this conversation before, though each occasion seems to beings new variances to the discussion.

My desire for the B & W was to show a degree of subtlety in the high key elements of the image rather than a stark contrast. But you are right the Pom was an element that was more suited to high contrast. The minimal separation from the background that you observantly note was quite deliberate for the above stated reasons.
I can completely follow your reasoning and logic as you state a good case for the colour version. However I must admit the B & W still remains my personal favourite. 

Yes, after seeing some of your results with this lens and that of Dimitris Vasilou and a few other bird photographers, I was convinced it must be a good investment.  After these initial shots, I am very pleased with it's performance. 

I haven't used it yet with my full frame sensor D800 instead I bought a second camera body, a cropped sensor Nikon D7000 that I used for these shots and which again I am very pleased with. 

Thank you so much for your observations and the tips and advice, these little snippets of information from a seasoned user are often invaluable! 

Best Regards 

Alf 

I really like both of the images Alf, but for some reason, this black and white really draws my attention!!! This bird really 'struck a pose' for you. They are such unusual yet attractive birds.

kind regards, Gail

It is just as successful in Black and White . I'll bet you are feeling very pleased with yourself ! Bill

I must admit the B & W version is my preference too. 

I think one tends to study it's form a bit more intensely because the contrast is less obvious than the colour version.

They are unusual birds, but very striking and photogenic, and the best thing about them is they stand still for periods of time so you can get a decent shot of them : - )

Sincere Thanks & Best Regards

Alf 

BILL 

I suppose I couldn't help feeling a bit pleased with myself, it's great when a plan comes together : - ) 

Sincere Thanks 

Alf 

I went between the color and B&W version a few times and I usually prefer the color version but if you change nothing, I will definitely pick the B&W version.  I began to wonder why I did not like the color version and soon discovered that it was the variation of color in the background that I found 'off-putting'. By converting to B&W, the background becomes more simplified and allows the bird to be emphasized.

I did use my limited color processing skills to make a change to the color version which IMHO simplifies the background. I would still choose the B&W version.

Thank you so much for taking the time to make the comparison, I do appreciate your astute "eye"

The difference in processing was that I did very little with the colour version, but decided to make the B & W a kind of "high key" affair, but without fading too much detail into obscurity.

Personally, I prefer the B & W too, but your rendition of the colour version gave me cause to pause and re-think! 

Cheers! 

Alf 

Fantastic work Alf! Great pose and detail, the B&W works very well and love the shadows on the face. Best regards, Rob

Sincere Thanks!  ...That is high praise indeed from a photographer with such consistently high standards of work! 

Best Regards 

Alf