Last year's poppy - which one works?

[Scott]

Hi, all -

I have a favorite (I think), but want your opinions on which one of these works best (and why or why not).

Poppy seed pod skeleton, color, greater DoF:


Same, B&W:


Color, shallow DoF:


Same, B&W:


Like I said, I have a favorite, but want to hear thoughts.

Thanks,
Scott

[Mike Kovacs]

#2 for me is the best.  But IMO those fibres distract and should have been removed prior to taking the photo.

[Scott]

Thanks for the comments, Mike.  FWIW, I have no idea how Sparty's hairs got tangled up on the seedhead, and why I didn't remove them.

For you, reshot:


And in color:

[wfournier]

Personally I find the scene very monochromatic already, so I actually find the color somewhat distracting, I prefer the black and white (from the second shoot without the hairs )

[Mike Kovacs]

Great.  Since it's still around, closer!

[Alan Gage]

I'll vote for the one with more DOF in B&W. I usually like shallower DOF but in this case I find the one with more DOF more interesting. I like the one with hairs better if only for the composition.

I wonder what the color one would like developed at higher contrast?

The more I look the more interesting all the little details get.

Alan