Simple scene normal, HDR, Combo

[chrisc]

Took this on one of the canals that dot my neighborhood. Just playing but curious as to your opinions.

1. Normal edit



2. HDR



3. HDR overlayed on "Normal" shot at 38% opacity

[jeeperman]

There are times I do prefer some tone mapping and or HDR technique but I think in this case I prefer the 1st, standard edit. The clearity is great and it has a nice smooth but crisp feel, which is somewhat lost in both of the fallowing edits. They both look a bit more gritty.

Looking at the first I am prompted to ask....why the need for the HDR? Just trying to bring more out in the shadows?

[chrisc]

In all honesty, I am not sure. I think I am trying to understand why there is such a following for this technique. I've done three, four and five exposure set blends and still feel like it is more gimmicky than photography, but feel I have to give it a go before I discard it as too weird, even for me.

I like the first one best as well.

[jeeperman]

I found more use for it when I did not have the ability to control highlights and shadows as well as I do now with LR4. I think most that use it.... go for a tad to a lot more than idealy realistic images.
In my mind if it is visible it is not done well. That is purely my opinion as there are many that would disagree.
I do still like to use it at times for interior work, but for most things I don't see the need. Although there are some HDR images that I find interesting and even good.....though not in a realistic sense. Just not want I am usually after I guess.

[Stevewebb]

Perhaps that image just doesn't have enough dynamic range to benefit from the technique properly.

The HDR images seem to have introduced a bit of noise.

Have you had a look at this? www.stuckincustoms.com/hdr-tutorial/