[guerito]

This shot has been on my mind for quite a while. Today I finally got around to do it, at least a first try. It still lacks some coffee beans lying around in a decorative way. What surprises me is that I actually like it better in black and white, I'm not normally a BW fan. What do you think? In the bw version, I enhanced the contrast a little - maybe I should do this in the color version too?

[shuttertalk]

Black and white definitely...

The coloured version doesn't have enough colour in it, and I find the coloured label slightly distracting. But the B/W conversion has really come up nicely.

[Russt]

another vote for the b&w

Just noticed this is in critique........

the exposure looks a little under to me..........the subject is a little brighter with the b&w

(could be my monitor)

[Paul.R.Lindqvist]

OH yea BW for sure.

/Paul L.

[smarti77]

The black and white looks great. Dont make it a cliche by adding the beans.
The contrast levels are nice, its moody like the coffee.
I like the simple curve of the steam, did you add that?
If you are interested I have a photoshop action for creating steam. I cant remember where I got it from but I'm sure its not hard to find or I could email it to you.
Great shot I hope you dont mind an edit for example...

[guerito]

Thanks mates! I'll go for the black and white then...

@Smarti: Yes I'd like to have a look at the PS action! The steam in my picture was made with cigarette smoke, blewn through a straw onto the surface. It behaves pretty much like steam. So in a way it's real, but then it's not. I like very much your version of the picture.

[smarti77]

See this tutorial:

Steam tutorial

I made a action using this tutorial. It takes a bit of work to make it look realistic but its fun to play with.

[Toad]

I would agree the B&W is bteer - and in this case, I think the sepia adds to the photo - and sort of brings the element of the beans together with the coffee in the image.