Robert Barley  


Pathway by Robert Barley

March 2025 - Pathway

About the Image(s)

found this scene on a rather chilly walk one February morning. I've included both color and BW versions so members may comment on their preference if they wish to do so. The two versions were edited independently so the crop is slightly different. Both were edited with Snapseed using the tuning sliders on several layers to add or remove brightness in certain places.


This round’s discussion is now closed!
10 comments posted




Jerry Hug   Jerry Hug
Robert I like both images. The B/W seems to have more of a mystery and wonderment. I really like the B/W image. Yet the Color sure is a very strong image with beautiful colors.The color version seems to have more details on the right side and gives me more to study. A wonderful sky that day and you caught nice variation in the colors. Great WORK. Jerry   Posted: 03/05/2025 09:37:31
Robert Barley   Robert Barley
Thank you, Jerry. I thought it might be interesting to show both color and BW versions. The BW version is dark enough to muddle some of the details as you mentioned. An acquaintance said that the BW version almost looks like a moonlit scene, and I do understand that. I pushed the brightness slider pretty far (and then brushed it out at the center).
  Posted: 03/05/2025 17:09:19



Richard Sprott   Richard Sprott
As Jerry says, both images are nice.I like the B&W image as it has more impact to my eye. the treatment of the far end of the pathway works nicely in B&W. Is there a way to mimic that in color, and would that work?   Posted: 03/05/2025 13:33:11
Robert Barley   Robert Barley
Thank you. I like the BW more myself, but then I'm stuck in the days of BW photography. The two versions were edited in a similar way, but... Just thinking about it, if I darkened the entire color image a lot more, and brushed the far end back, it would yield something closer to the BW. The sky would be very dark blue. Or I could brighten the far end even more, but that might not look realistic. I don't know. I'll have to try it and see.
  Posted: 03/05/2025 17:23:39



Sol Blechman   Sol Blechman
The B&W has more impact and a feeling of drama. In the original the eye is distracted by the light grasses in front where in the B&Y the eye is taken to the lighter grasses in the frame.   Posted: 03/06/2025 13:19:33
Robert Barley   Robert Barley
Thank you. I agree the BW has more impact, and I like it better, too.

There is a vignette around the color version. The foreground could be darker, but at some point, the colors would get muddied. No pun intended.
  Posted: 03/07/2025 12:47:46



Pamela Hoaglund   Pamela Hoaglund
A tough decision. The color version gives one the feel of a winter day. B/W can convey drama and reduce distractions.   Posted: 03/09/2025 19:59:41
Robert Barley   Robert Barley
Thanks. I agree. The two versions do present different feelings. I prefer the drama of the BW a bit more.
  Posted: 03/12/2025 22:06:08



Lynne Royce   Lynne Royce
It's a win/win when a photograph exhibits well in both presentations. I prefer the color version as enjoy how the tan grass, with golden highlights, compliments the brown dirt path against the backdrop of a brilliant blue sky. Both versions create a mood. The color photograph is joyful and the black and white version is filled with mystery.   Posted: 03/12/2025 19:37:37
Robert Barley   Robert Barley
Thank you, Lynne. I guess I'm stuck in the BW film days, and I often like to use BW editing. You are right, the color version is warmer and more inviting.
  Posted: 03/12/2025 22:09:30