Lovely photos - but ..... my honest opinion of B&W is don't. This is a very personal response - but I really don't think that B&W is ever better than colour except in the hands of a true expert. But if you like B&W then you won't become an expert unless you experiment. So in those terms these are good.

im not sure about this one as b/w.... but its a lovely shot,

would love to see the colour version. 

Just shows how peoples tastes differ.I think this is fantastic and I am not a great B/W fan.

The B/W adds another dimension to the photo and gives it a 50s/60s look

Wonderful!

Steve

Hi Viv

B&W has been going a lot longer than colour, I also believe that there were so called "experts" long before colour came onto the scene.  B&W is less forgiving with a bad shot I think, so as you can see by what others have said, you have done a great job.

Often when looking through old albums, I soon forget that they are NOT in colour.  If it's a good photo, I don't think it matters.

Cheers

XXXXX

It all depends what mood you are trying to create.

If you want a summer landscape to appear vibrant and 'summer-like' then leave it in color.  However, you could go for a high-contrast black & white process on the same scene in winter, when the trees are bare and the water choppy and windswept. 

Not evertything in B&W photography is in black and white.  Just as film photographers would choose filters, papers and developers to get the mood they were after, digital B&W will benefit from working with the colour channels, levels, etc. rather than just hitting the 'black and white' tab in a photo editor.  You'll be able to deepen blacks or soften greys to create the mood you're looking for by being selective with which colour channels you saturate and those you don't.

Thank you everyone for your honest opinions, I do really appreciate them, and will take them all on board.  For all those who requested here is the colour version:

That's not the same photo Viv - the boat house is in a different position.

Hi viv

I like the look of the B&W version much better.  There seems to be many more shades of both black and white.

Nice conversion Viv

XXX

I have looked at both pics and the b/w is the best .It adds character to the image.

I'm not sure about either shot in all honesty, but of the two, I'd go for B&W because the colour shot seems washed out. As the shots are identical, is it true B&W or manipulated?

bdb.

Hya Terry, I don't mind you playing around with it at all.  If I'm honest, I'm not too keen as the colours done look 'real' to me; maybe the greens are ok, and the boathouse, but I'm not sure about the water.  I still prefer the black and white. Having said that it's better than my original colour version.  Thanks for your input anyway.

Viv

Brilliant. Love it in Mono.

(Fav)

Personally I like this picture very much.  I am a fan of black and white photography so think this is striking as it is.  I do not like the manipulated version as it looks very artificial.  You have a lovely set of pictures in your gallery Viv.  Thank you for all the comments you have left on mine.

Carolyn

Hya Barry

I certainly don't mind at all; in fact I quite liked the look of it and as it was so small I thought I would have a go myself and here's the result:

Well i like the b+w i think its a beautiful pic and i love the reflections in the water.

Great atmosphere and beautiful shot. Excellent choice of black and white much more than color. Congratulations. Greetings from Italy.

My turn to comment on yours........Love it..!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!