I like outtake 1 more - the b/w one that you submitted was dark on my monitor - I could hardly tell that those were shoes in the front; also, the details of the hosiery was lost in the b/w. It may be my monitor.
I believe your choice was the best. I like the b/w conversion from the colored (outtake1). Outtake1 has a much distracting white label in the shoe and may be red shoes with this kind of background doesn't go well.
outtake2: I find the background not too good to go with this.
outtake3: Might do well with more contrasting background and subject. A b/w converted image ( a darker feet and lighter background, not sure how you get this, might like to play with channel mixer ) might work well.
elsapo: You start a thread - and it kinda disappears!
Your image has some good qualities:
A) Nice rendering - good whites and blacks, plenty of grays in between.
B) The unusual composition with the legs coming from each bottom corner is unique and interesting.
C) I like the black / white background with the big toes right on the border zone.
But, on the other hand, this is one case where desaturization "ruins" the image. The yellow leaves are in a terribly busy pattern, and being the only colored areas, drag your eye all over everywhere. Try it in total B&W - I think you'll like it better.
Also - the area of highest contrast is where the white portion of the frame meets the black. This is also an eye-grabber. I'd recommend a thin black frame - no white.
