New guy in need of some critique

So i just started to get into night photography/ long exposure and I was thinking how i was doing.


[/366] - Downtown Toronto by LSean, on Flickr

EXIF
D7000 + 17-55mm f/2.8
20seconds, f/14
ISO 1000 (didn't realize it was so high)
Focal Length 26mm
3 shots bracketed on photomatix


Thanks in advance guys!

Welcome Lsean! I'd suggest looking at the Critique Forum guidelines here. Generally speaking, what made you post the image and what type of feedback are you looking for regarding the image?

I'm not going to do a full critique but I have to say that technically it is a well exposed image with very interesting colors but I'm not sure what the focal point is supposed to be. Also, it seems that the perspective is off with the leaning buildings on the lower left part of the image. Did you do any lens correction after Photomatix?

TOTAL SCORE - 8/12

-1 Impact
-1 Creativity
-1 Technical Excellence
-1 Story Telling

Kudos for attempting night time/long exposure HDR. It's not an easy thing to do, and requires a lot of patience. The technical issues that stand out to me are the tilted horizon and barrel distortion from the lens. You're obviously familiar enough with software to correct both of those. I also see some dust or water spots in the upper left hand corner of the image.

I keep running over your exposure settings in my mind, and they seem out of whack. ISO 1000 while wide open @ f/2.8 for 20 secs? Was that the longest of your series of bracketed shots?

There's some very nice detail in this shot and the neon lights are very cool. This is a good showcase for HDR, but the overall composition could be better due to a lot of construction equipment in the foreground. Maybe try the same area only from a different angle? Sometimes that's just not possible without risking your neck (or arrest!)