Which version works better

[evil4blue]

I was goofing around in Photoshop and came up with 2 versions of a midway shot I took at the stock show. I was wanting a more dramatic, almost slide, look to the image. I really like the sepia, but posted the original B&W for comparison.

[LoungeLizard]

They're both really good - but I lean toward the B&W. Maybe increase contrast a bit more on the B&W - that's what I like more about the sepia over the toning.

[Shane]

I lean to the B&W . . . the contrast looks much better.

[billbunton]

I don't normally like sepia much, but to me it works well in this case. I'd like to see the sepia with the contrast reduced a bit -- somewhere in between where it is now, and where it is in the B&W.

[evil4blue]

Here's the requested higher contrast B&W and lower contrast sepia.

[LoungeLizard]

Oh...for me, that higher contrast B&W. I can smell the chemicals...some nice, RC paper...

[jeffkohn]

I normally find the sepia effect too strong and prefer neutral B/W or very subtle toning. But in this case I really like the sepia treatment; it gives the shots a nostalgic feeling that I think works well.

[Jake]

I like the 2nd sepia one you posted. Cool shot.

[billbunton]

Yeah, that looks great! I really like the sepia here, it seems to provide a very fitting glow.

[Ben]

2nd sepia rocks my socks.

[petert]

The B+W is the best of the two. The sepia toning seems to have burned away some of your detail (look at the area to the right of the "Pirates" sign).

[evil4blue]

Well, this is still a work in progress, and I agree with petert that some of the highlights are a little blown out. Here's one more version with a tweak to the contrast curve to help retain some details and also tweaked the sepia color to give it a little more punch.

[xseption]

I think that you have winners whichever way the final product turns out!

[sbug_adam]

the sepia is a bit hot.. i prefer the bw..

Adam

[Silvernic]

I vote for the high contrast sepia. Gives a little more mysterious element to the image.