If I had to choose, I'd go with a colored one (because it's a cat)

Jackk, and I like the color one. I also like how the black mat has eaten up part of the picture on the right—a funny trapezoid illusion.

I like the black and white here better

Marina Glebova, yes, it’s clear that spots, stripes, and checkered patterns appear

As for the color - the blue barrel in monochrome is lost;)

The blue barrel in the monochrome is lost;

dis-sident, Misha, but the snow on it is like the opposite of a cat.)). What's black on a cat is white on a barrel.

Jackk, it's better to add additional images to the work description; there's more space there and the image doesn't shrink.

Neta_Georg, but I agree - sometimes you have to sacrifice something;)

For the color: super

Black and white is better in my opinion.

Black and white is mind-blowing - where, what, how and why.

Colored, of course!

Jackk,
Don't listen to anyone)))
Color))))
Every "student" can do black and white. Color is the ultimate.

Every "student" can do black and white. Color is the ultimate skill.

Deleted, why are you so harsh with black and white?)))
And there's room for "ultimate skill" there (if we're not talking about the banal technique of hiding the original's flaws).
They're simply different visions: black and white and color... and, as a rule, it's quite difficult to "feel (see)" equally well in both directions.
It's...probably like changing your mindset)))

Deleted, Black and white requires a more finely tuned vision.

Deleted, why are you so cruel to black and white?)))
And there's room for "aerobatics" there (if we're not talking about the banal technique of hiding the original's flaws).
They're simply different visions: black and white and color... and, as a rule, it's quite difficult to "feel (see)" equally well in both directions.
It's...probably like changing your mindset)))

Kalju4ii,
Cruelty is weakness)))
I'm showing weakness, so to speak))))
Joke))) The day before yesterday I spent the whole day studying Daniel Ofman's theory)))
My desk looked something like this:

(This photo is not staged and was not taken for the website. I only included it so that once again I won't be told I'm a brainless animal who doesn't read books).
I'll tell you my opinion about the black and white color now)))

Deleted, Black and white requires a more finely tuned vision.

Serg Tix,
You're right, but only when black and white is more subtle and implies a higher level.
Basically, all photographs work like this:
If I can't handle the color, I go black and white...
When choosing between color and black and white, when the color is roughly a 4 and the black and white is a 5+, I always choose color. You know, there's a lot to achieve here that's a 4)))) (on a scale of 1 to 5).
Imagine this shot with a turquoise window, an orange wall, and a purple balloon)))
And?
But black and white was always good)))

That's why I'm all for color here, especially since it's not studio work, which is doubly difficult...
But subtle, well-crafted black and white is when color doesn't affect the result at all. When black and white needs context...

Basically, all photography works like this:
If I can't handle the color, I go black and white...

Deleted, no, that's not true. In any case, that would be a rather primitive approach. Black and white isn't the opposite of color, it's just different.

Deleted, No, that's not true. In any case, that would be a rather primitive approach. Black and white isn't the opposite of color, it's just different.

Marina Glebova,
You're an idealist))) You trust ideals, while I trust numbers, analysis, and observations)))
I look at black and white from the perspective of its application, you from the perspective of its purpose)))

I look at black and white from the point of view of its application, you from the point of view of its purpose)))

Deleted, what's that like? )))

Deleted, How's that? )))

Marina Glebova,
It's like, you're an idealist, and I'm a rationalist))))
I see how they use it, you see how it should be used)))
Roughly speaking: I'm the executive branch, and you're the legislative branch (joke)))

By and large, all photographs work like this:
If I can't handle the color, I go black and white...
When choosing between color and black and white, when the color is roughly a B and the black and white is a B+, I always choose color.

Deleted, this isn't a discussion about "real" photography, where people consciously work with either color or black and white...
but something like what I said above, #15

.. about a banal technique for hiding the flaws of the original.

It's like, you're an idealist, and I'm a rationalist))) I see how they use it, you see how it should be used))) Roughly speaking: I'm the executive branch, and you're the legislative branch (joke)))

Deleted, we need to merge the legislative and executive branches))

By and large, all photographs work like this:

I'm not talking about this case.
By the way, this photo doesn't look great to me in color: the combinations are unbearable.

Imagine this photo with a turquoise window, an orange wall, and a purple gas cylinder.

There's no point in talking about what could have been: none of that exists, and speculation is not a subject for discussion.

I couldn't handle the color - I'm doing black and white...

The photo didn't come out, and it's a shame it went in the trash. We'll Photoshop it into something special.

Deleted,

I couldn't handle the color - I'm doing black and white....

It's not always like that, but it can be the other way around. For example, when two objects/spots/grounds/etc. match in tone (in darkness/lightness) and are separated purely by color. In black and white, the separation would disappear.

Kalju4ii,
Did you realize I'm not the cruelest one here?))))

The photo didn't come out, but it's a shame to throw it in the trash. We'll Photoshop this into a candy bar.

Serg Tix,
Well, it over my dead body, put it in your trash.))) We'll meet today in Cologne at 11:47 PM.))) Please bring your sword.)))

Deleted, We need to merge the legislative and executive branches.))

Marina Glebova,
Well, a hundred years after the revolution, I think, would be a good date for unification.)))

Deleted, It's not always like that, NMW. It can also be the other way around. For example, when two objects/spots/plans/etc. They match in tone (in darkness/lightness), and are separated purely by color. In black and white, the separation would disappear...

t p v,
And I'm saying that black and white is the level of the best at the conservatory))) But in practice, black and white is used to hide a non-musical ear)))