Black and White or Colour?

The Grande Arche in Paris is amazing in many ways, not least because of its natural tendency to explode outwards, only prevented by 4 massive, pre-stressed cross-beams in both its roof and its foundations. Not being an engineer, but walking past it frequently, I wondered whether the stress explained why its windows and marble facing occasionally popped off and fell to the ground, until they were replaced in a recent refit. That apart, it is a marvellously innovative construction, offering infinitely subtle contrasts, patterns and surfaces that this architectural photographer loves.

I enjoy imaging the struts and cabling of the elevator tower and the awning within the cube. I frequently use a black and white treatment to emphasise their graphic quality. On this occasion, I kept the colour, with the purpose of gaining depth and separation between the foreground and the building. In daytime, marble and granite facings create much greater contrast. However, this image was shot at night and a more subtle feel was obtained by the faded colour palette.

Does this work for you? Would you privilege a black and white treatment, or are both just a question of taste? See the complete text and the image in full definition on my blog page here