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Mousetrap

by Robert Santafede

"Moustrap", a photograph by Robert Santafede, color version.

"Mousetrap", the black and white version by Robert Santafede

Had a hard time letting the colors go in this one.. So why not post both?

Posted on 2012/06/10 at 04:42 in Architecture & Urbex   |  RSS feed |   Reply   |   Trackback URL

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83 Comments to “Mousetrap”

    
  1. Richard Guest
    2012/06/10 at 04:52

    Particularly like the way the fire escape leads your eye through the colour version. Great image.

    Reply
  2. Russell Chapman
    2012/06/10 at 06:32

    Both are great but I prefer the B&W 🙂

    Reply
  3. Geedebee
    2012/06/10 at 06:34

    Great Shot robert, this thime i prefer the colors.

    Reply
  4. suzysomething
    2012/06/10 at 06:41

    I love the color but have to admit I still love the way B&W seems so classic. Great photo, either way! Thanks for including them both. I liked seeing what your original photo looked like and the contrast between the two.

    Reply
    • Robert Santafede
      2012/06/10 at 07:26

      Thank you for your comment, Suzy. 🙂 I’ve been thinking about posting both versions for a little while now, but usually one version wins out over the other. This time was a bit different!

      Reply
  5. Stephen G. Hipperson
    2012/06/10 at 08:05

    If you look at my blog you’ll see I’m a bit of a b&w fan myself, so it comes with great reluctance that I have to admit I prefer the coloured job in this particular case. The black and white definitely simplifies the scene, as we would expect, but the complexity offered by the colours as well as the textures really does make this a multi-layered piece.
    I’m sure you’ve played with the various twiddly bits in the conversion to black and white, but I’m wondering if a further tweak in contrast may worth looking at. cheers

    Reply
    • Robert Santafede
      2012/06/14 at 04:36

      Thank you for your comment, Stephen. I understand what you’re saying about the contrast in the b&w. For some reason, certain brick walls give me a harder time when toning than others. I actually did mess around with the levels, contrast, etc. but couldn’t really find a proper balance vs. the color one. I really think overall, the lighting could’ve been much better. Next time I’m down that way, I will try to time the shot a little better for later on in the day. That, and I really need to practice toning brickwork more. 🙂

      Reply
      • Stephen G. Hipperson
        2012/06/14 at 06:14

        I don’t know what tools you have available but ‘Channel Mixer’ is helpful in giving specific greys to specific colour – I have a older version of Photoshop, the latest versions seem to have a specifically good black and white conversion tool but I’ve no experience in using it.

        Reply
        • Robert Santafede
          2012/06/14 at 06:27

          Indeed, I’ve used the channel mixer but usually for a pseudo-infrared edit. TBH I haven’t tried it for outright toning. I may give that a shot and see what I can come up with. I usually do a majority of the b&w toning in camera raw or through the adjustment masks in photoshp. Thanks for the tip! 🙂

          Reply
  6. Nick Caniglio
    2012/06/10 at 08:32

    I also prefer the color version, in particular the first floor of the building!

    Reply
  7. Russ
    2012/06/10 at 09:20

    It’s funny, when i saw the colour image I thought, what would that be like in monochrome? and there was the answer, think i prefer the colour one this time, seems to be a lack of the usuall tonal range in the monochrome shot,

    Reply
    • Robert Santafede
      2012/06/14 at 04:39

      Fully agreed – this is actually a photo from a few months ago that I’ve been tinkering around with since.. Still haven’t found that ‘sweet’ spot. Next time I’ll head there a bit later on in the day, hopefully get some better natural lighting to pop that texture out. Thanks for the comment, Russ!

      Reply
  8. juneberrystar
    2012/06/10 at 09:26

    I love the color image. I’m sure you just heard a lot of that now that I said it. 🙂 your photo is beautiful

    Reply
  9. Rudolf Abraham
    2012/06/10 at 09:50

    Unusually for me, I think I prefer the colour version

    Reply
  11. Helen Cherry
    2012/06/10 at 09:59

    I like the name .. it is indeed like the game that I figure you are alluding to? The colour is good !!

    Reply
    • Robert Santafede
      2012/06/14 at 04:48

      Thank you, Helen, and indeed, it is a reference to that game. I don’t know why.. Perhaps it’s just the way the stairs flow, but it reminds me of it. In addition to the literal meaning, too. Thanks for your comment & visit. 🙂

      Reply
  12. Mary Lou Rutledge
    2012/06/10 at 10:05

    Love the color,and name!

    Reply
  13. bentehaarstad
    2012/06/10 at 10:21

    I definitly prefer the forst one. The colours are very great.

    Reply
  14. ckponderings
    2012/06/10 at 11:12

    The colour definitely works better with this one. 🙂

    Reply
  15. GreXon Photography
    2012/06/10 at 11:27

    I have the same issue sometimes deciding between colour and b&w and often end up posting both! Did that recently on my blog with “Ancient Artifact.” Great shot either way.

    Great blog by the way!

    Reply
    • Robert Santafede
      2012/06/14 at 04:52

      Thanks, GreXon. Indeed, I think I may start doing that also. I usually try to finalize it before posting, but sometimes the decision isn’t that easy. 🙂 Thanks for your comment and visit!

      Reply
  16. Fork in My Eye
    2012/06/10 at 13:04

    I like the color too on this one. Cool photo, fun title.

    Reply
  17. artblablablablog
    2012/06/10 at 13:41

    Love the color one, love them both!

    Reply
  18. braisedblue
    2012/06/10 at 14:41

    I love the colour image.

    Reply
  19. milkayphoto
    2012/06/10 at 14:48

    Hate to go with the majority but, the color version is the clear winner here! No contest! 🙂

    Reply
  20. 2me4art
    2012/06/10 at 14:52

    I like the blue door, a bit of happy in a lonely, unloved place. Not really your dark & crumbling matter… Your other stuff, in comparison, this one feels like hope. Sorry for blah-ing.
    Amy

    Reply
    • Robert Santafede
      2012/06/14 at 05:01

      Haha, what is blah-ing? I must know! 🙂 I’m trying to get out of always posting the same thing. I don’t think I’d ever post something unbelievably cheery or something, but change is always good. Keeps me on my toes atleast. 🙂 Thanks for your comment, Amy!

      Reply
  21. 2 Rivers Photos
    2012/06/10 at 15:08

    I like the colored one more… the composition is just brilliant 🙂

    Reply
  22. jbradshawphotos
    2012/06/10 at 16:15

    I’m usually loving your b&w, but the color, definitely on this one.

    Reply
  23. ManoliRizoFotografia
    2012/06/10 at 16:56

    Yo tampoco se que con cual quedarme, las dos van estupendamente, saludos

    Reply
  24. thoughtsfromanamericanwoman
    2012/06/10 at 17:23

    I can’t decide which one I like better! ~Patty

    Reply
  25. SKEdazzles ~ A Lifestyle/Photo/Travel Blog
    2012/06/10 at 17:32

    I love everything about this, the subject, the composition and the way you processed it. 🙂

    Reply
  26. jheem
    2012/06/10 at 18:57

    Both are beautiful, but I agree that the color version seems more engaging. Nice work!

    Reply
  27. Lois Farley Shuford
    2012/06/10 at 20:40

    Color wins on this one!

    Reply
  29. Carl D'Agostino
    2012/06/11 at 02:51

    When looking at pics for writing prompts this contrast has a profound difference on the mood of the writing.

    Reply
  30. Shell Shell
    2012/06/11 at 05:14

    They look fantastic. But my preference is the colour version, the different coloured doors add a quirkiness that is really appealing 🙂

    Reply
  31. sedge808
    2012/06/11 at 06:28

    Love your title too.

    Reply
  32. jessnj
    2012/06/11 at 10:24

    I love the colour one.

    Reply
  33. John Pickles
    2012/06/11 at 18:01

    Great composition. Brilliant title. Colour over B& W.

    Reply
  34. sil
    2012/06/12 at 15:10

    Beautiful! Maybe I love the color version a bit more 🙂 I’m intrigued by the colored doors!

    Reply
  35. PAZ
    2012/06/13 at 01:45

    It almost looks like a scene from a sci-fi film! ♥

    Reply
  36. mypenandme
    2012/06/13 at 10:24

    I’ve enjoyed your blog and wish to honor you in my list of recommended sites, therefore; I have presented you with the Sunshine Award. Please see my blog entitled, Sunshine Award for more details.

    Reply
  37. Sallyann
    2012/06/14 at 06:04

    Can you still get “Mousetrap” ? There’s a blast from the past, but it would be fun dropping the little ball in at the top of your picture and watching it bounce to the bottom. 🙂

    Reply
  38. John Smith
    2012/06/14 at 11:53

    Hi Robert, this is another example in your work of two worlds…….. both highly effective. I also love the slightly translucent feel that filtering can bring to an image. Masterful choice, selection, framing and handling.

    Reply
  39. settleandchase
    2012/06/20 at 21:44

    I do love those colours..very unusual, almost like you have painted them on!

    Reply
  40. Peter Phillips Photography
    2012/06/25 at 10:43

    On this occasion the colour version works best for me. Love the mooted colours and the how the lighting enhances the compostion.

    Reply
    

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