One of the many creative decisions a photographer makes is whether to show an image in black and white, or colour. Each form has advantages and disadvantages. 

Black and White images can remove distractions (such as the bright blue parking meter in the shot above) as well as abstract the image. Sometimes it is easier to say what you want with a black and white (B&W) image than with colour. The B&W image simplifies things.

On the other hand, most of us see the world in colour (Even the colour blind). A colour image looks more natural. Colour can also be used to emphasize a subject (see the first image here)  or even be the subject (such as here).

Again, Black and White, or Colour is an artistic decision. Some photos will work better in one form more than the other, and some photos may even work well in both forms, although often with totally different “feel.”

Of course, to get right out of the box, you can use both Black and White and Colour in the same image…