black as night

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

black as coal



or

[Mira]

1. I prefer the first one, if you are asking for preference for BLACK, because

to me it tells more of a story. The second one looks somewhat staged, and is not as appealing.
If you pardon the expression considering the bleak subject matters.

[JeffR]

2. The first one has all kinds of overtones

of a confessional or of a stubborn declaration. Maybe the two things are more alike than different.

The lighting and the composition just click in the darkness, pardon the pun.

[Mz Pip]

3. I like the first one, too

It's different and edgy. Definitely "Black."

[Callalily]

4. Oh my gosh! I really like

your first photo.

It's got such great balance.

My eye just flows from the light to the left of your subjects face, to the closed fist, to the outstretched arm. A great and subtle story is being told here.

[Celebration]

5. I too, love the first one

And the backlighting. However, if you use it, it needs to be bigger. It gets a bit lost on my screen.