Early attempts

I been having ago Using Photomatix Essentials
Here are two different attempts using the same three exposures -2 correct and + 2 stops






I think I like the scenery better in the first but the sky is better in the second !

What do you think ?

I'll jump in here because no one else has, but only as an observer as I am definitely not an HDR guru. The first looks like the -2 and the last looks like the +2 and for me a blend of the two would do it. I guess in a way that is what you are saying "I think I like the scenery better in the first but the sky is better in the second ! " Ha!

davebike said:

I been having ago Using Photomatix Essentials
Here are two different attempts using the same three exposures -2 correct and + 2 stops






I think I like the scenery better in the first but the sky is better in the second !

What do you think ?

Click to expand...

I like the second shot much better.
Off topic.
Looks like you need a sensor cleaning. Those circles on the top right hand side look like dust spots.

The second composition adds interest in the clouds with the detail.

It looks to me as if you needed to expose for the sky as it is a little blown out and that is why you are not getting very good definition in those clouds. Clouds like that are perfect for HDR. Plain blue or overall grey just doesn't work well.

OK.....try making a -3 or -4 shot in software and include that in your set.

It is just my personal preference in HDR that landscapes are more "natural" ie not so much detail enhancement, so to me the foreground looks better in the top shot.
I also agree that you need to clean your sensor. You've got lots of spots there. You can take them out in PP'ing but that soon get tedious

Thanks all I think the spots were water on the lens It was a nastier day than the shot shown Later shots clear

I like the dark road of the 1st picture, and the sky on the second picture, they would kind of contrast each other.

The idea of a merge appeals, or maybe I just revisit the original RAW files and try another merge from there with different settings

I post again If /when I have another try

davebike said:

I think I like the scenery better in the first but the sky is better in the second !

What do you think ?

Click to expand...

I took the liberty:



Just manual underexpose the scenery some, up clarity to push details and you got a mix. Your shot already got everything you need. If you got LR, it's just one (big) brush stroke. You can further enhance it by painting in different exposures on the lighter/darker areas of your scenery and in that make it shine some more.

Another couple from me My bike deliberately OTT and a customers done similarly at his request

I like these - Nothing wrong with OTT, it doesn't always suit but cars, bikes etc it generally does I think. The only thing I would point out, is in the second picture... the lamp post on the left-hand side I think should either be fully-in, or fully out of the picture.

Thanks Steve a little crop seems called for

Went to do the crop and found yes I done it and post the before )