Three colour and three monochrome ~ editing photos of an old plane

Sometimes, it’s instructive to go back to old colour photos and convert them to monochrome. I think that some types of images benefit greatly from the tonal power and simplicity that a monochrome image offers. Here are three photos in colour and then in black and white. I’ve played with the individual colour channels slider in Lightroom to alter contrast and tonal relationships: The fallen tangle of wires in the cockpit of an old plane provided a fantastic through the window view. I think both versions are strong, but the monochrome really focusses the eye on the wires without the colour distraction of the framing window and the window behind. In stripping away the hierarchy of colour, the light and shade really comes to the fore. The network of wiring truly stands out. As much as I like the dirty yellow of the colour version, the contrast of the monochrome edit adds punch and depth. I used a through the window composition once more, and I think both versions are strong, with the rust…