This was shot on the banks of the Neckar, a major tributary of the Rhine. Postprocessing this picture was a very difficult task. The original had quite a flat contrast, but increasing it only a little already made it look way too busy. Pulling out all stops I managed to reach this more balanced look. Finally, we couldn't decide between the colored and the BW version as both have their merits. What do you think?

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• I personally prefer the B&W version (hey, I'm a conservative...). But the color version is just as gorgeous
  
  I particularly like the pattern created by the terraces and stairways, and the sudden break in it represented by the building.
  Roberto typing from uni @ 2006-April-12 12:43
• Cool shot and worth the effort. I prefer the color version. For me, the B&W one is a little flat, not enough contrast. Good job.
  Otto K. @ 2006-April-12 13:25
• fabulous work! I just love the textures here and the overall slightly muted but balanced tone.. lovely work
  anagnorisis @ 2006-April-12 13:43
• I love those walls and the building. Lovely image and great lines. What I would recommend for this mind is either (or both) upping the saturation so that the colour comes forth a little. I would also up the contrast a little. Then, this image would come to life. Still amazingly interesting composition. Those sets of steps too.
  mooch @ 2006-April-12 13:58
• Nice. This is a really intereting shot.
  Jide Alakija @ 2006-April-12 14:01
• I really like the color version. It just brings such interest to the image.
  
  The house in the bw version seems to blend into the background and you lose something in the process. It is a very intersting shot! Would love to know the story behind the home. (Well, if it is a home, looks like one to me!)
  Jazmin @ 2006-April-12 15:32
• Very busy pattern indeed. A little contrast and saturtion on both color and b&w will suit nice,green lines and yellow house.--wondering if contrast is going to make it too busy... I like the place & shot.
  Emré @ 2006-April-12 16:50
• Yeah, the color one is more interesting to me as well. You can see the seperation on the levels better. The repeatition aspect of this photo is very cool, as well the the vines overtaking the building.
  Steve LLamb @ 2006-April-12 17:01
• Thank you for your comments :)
  
  About the contrast: As Emré already suspected increasing the contrast really made the picture too busy, IMO way too nervous. At least that's what I found in the 2+ hours I've spend tweaking it. Nevertheless today I managed to squeeze a bit more out of it and now I've put up versions with a tiny bit more contrast.
  
  @Jazmin: Unfortunately we don't know the story of this shed. Actually there were hundreds of them along the Neckar. We suspect the winegrowers store their tools there.
  sknop @ 2006-April-12 19:00
• Colour wins I think...with the green stripes.
  Jasp @ 2006-April-12 20:19
• All right, I'll fold and go with the color version. The BW-like version has something missing but I can't put my finger on it. Nice capture. Regards, Brent
  Brent Vermilyea @ 2006-April-12 20:42
• Color or not, the image itself is remarkable for having something happening everywhere : no sky, no background, no ???setting??? . . all content. And yet, the soft approach ensures a strange quietness. Great pic very tastefully handled.
  
  AG @ 2006-April-13 11:46
• oh my gosh. This is textbook lines!! vertical and horizontal all the way through - Amazing!
  Tuan @ 2006-April-13 12:49
• Have you tried the tilt shift effect?
  I like the color shot better :-)
  gcdc @ 2006-April-13 17:26
• @gcdc: We think the fake tilt and shift effect has been overused by now, and that it fits only a few pictures... still, it can be nice ;)
  sknop @ 2006-April-13 18:25
• wow. very interesting setting. i wish the shot were wider
  Dacian @ 2006-April-14 08:30
• and the vine claims not only the soil, but the house as well...
  dorian gray @ 2006-April-16 10:40
• The color. The pale green of the grass and the subtle peach of the building give more depth to the image.
  Massimo @ 2006-April-20 02:11
• Fantastic photo...the vertical and horizontal lines,the colors...I prefer the color version..have more contrast.Nice.
  Antonio @ 2006-April-23 13:03
• spitzenfoto, werd mich mal durchklicken hier...
  martin @ 2006-May-8 16:05