Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal, Georgetown, Washington, DC
Georgetown is filled with wonderful photographic spots, and on this day, I set my sights on the peaceful C&O Canal. An occasional jogger ran down the path, a few pedestrians meandered on a lunch-time walk, while others crossed the bridges over the canals, many with bicycles. But the shot I wanted — someone crossing the foreground bridge — took a bit some patience.
If anyone was to cross, I was expecting it to be on the lower level of the bridge. I was so surprised to see this woman crossing on the upper level that I missed the shot entirely. From then on, I had my camera focused and my shutter finger ready for what I hoped would be her return crossing. She did not disappoint!
A color version of this photo is posted on VisualVenturing.com. Which one do you prefer?
(The184.5-mile Chesapeake and Ohio Canal operated from 1831 until 1924 along the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., to Cumberland, Maryland. The canal’s principal cargo was coal from the Allegheny Mountains.
Rising and falling over an elevation change of 605 feet, it required the construction of 74 canal locks, 11 aqueducts to cross major streams, more than 240 culverts to cross smaller streams, and a 3,118-foot tunnel.
The canal is now maintained as the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, with a trail that follows the old towpath. Credit: Wikipedia.)
Monochromia 
I love that there is a woman walking across the top bridge. It puts life in perspective! Great shot!
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Thanks for that, Robyn! I definitely think she completes the image, and the wait was well worth it – knowing what I wanted and then having it happen was such a rush 😀
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Both are excellent images, Stacy. As others have pointed out the B&W emphasizes the tones and patterns plus, and dare I say? The “Decisive Moment” descriptor comes to mind. The color image seems to evoke a mood of quiet contemplation.
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Thanks, Robin. I really had a lot of fun waiting/hoping for her to re-cross. I’m sure I got plenty of stares as I remained rooted to my spot, camera at the ready, but the reward was definitely worth any sideways glances I may have gotten 🙂 Isn’t it grand when things fall into place like that? 😀
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Both versions are so good! Hard to decide but I think I’ll go with B/W because it is less distracting with the absence of colour. And my eye is more drawn to the woman crossing the bridge. Not the case with the colour version but then I love the detail that the colour brings out in the photo! 🙂
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Loredana, so fun to see you pop in here! You’re not alone in how you “see” the two photos. I’ve had a hard time deciding which I favor, but both you and Kaz (before you) commented on seeing the woman first in the B&W, and that really swings me to the B&W side 😀 Thanks so much for your comment!
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Wow Stacy, what a fabulous shot – all that detail of the buildings, the reflections and the walker crossing the bridge. Well worth the wait!
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Fortune favors the patient (or something like that, anyway) 😀 Thanks, Patti! I really did have “fun” anticipating her return!
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Its funny when I looked on your site at the colour one I noticed the brick building first and foremost it was the centre of attention but in your B&W photo my eyes went straight to the lady crossing and it then took on an entirely different meaning 🙂
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Kaz, thanks for leaving comments on both blogs, my friend! And I absolutely love what you have pinpointed here with respect to where your eyes went based on the color or lack thereof. Because the lady is really, for me, what makes the picture, I think you’ve helped me come over to the “dark” side and go with the B&W as my favorite 😀
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Anytime I can be of help to bring you to the dark side 🙂 lol
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I can’t decide! I like them both!
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Ha, great answer, Nic 😀 Thanks!
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They are both good photos. The monochrome version is very mysterious looking
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You’re not the first to call the B&W “mysterious,” Raewyn 🙂 I like that thought – thanks!
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I like B&W better. Great shot, Stacy! 🙂
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Thanks, Amy! You’re in the slightly larger majority 🙂
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I’m going with the general consensus Stacy, I think its much more dramatic in B&W. Great work 🙂
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It’s been interesting to read all the comments, both here and on the color version, Joe. I think the B&W has come out ahead, but the margin isn’t that great, which leads me to believe that posting both was a good decision 🙂 Thanks, as always!
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I definitively do prefer this beautiful picture (that I like very much) in B&W: the color breaks the atmosphere.
Geneviève
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Thanks, Geneviève, for your input! You’re not alone in feeling that way. I like them each for different reasons and had a difficult time deciding which I liked “more,” so it’s been a fun exercise to read the different comments. I think the B&W has come out ahead, but only by a little 🙂
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Completely agree with Cee… Love this b/w
Ciao ciao
Max
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Thanks, Max!
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Much more dramatic black and white. I think I like this just a tad bit better than the color version. 😀
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I think the B&W is eeking out a “win,” Cee 😀 Thanks for your input!
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