Heavy processing/HDR attempt... C&C

Deliverance XXV · 24-10-2008 8:19pm #1

Hmmm just looking for some feedback.

Something I'm trying to get more into is HDR shots. I processed the below shot through the HDR merging in Photoshop and after about 5 mins of messing about with various options this is the final effect. Is this a true HDR shot or just heavy processing?

Any hints + tips? Is it too much? I generally like dark and moody shots myself but seeing as that's a personal preference I just want to see how people see this as a whole?

Click here for enlargement.
Click here for original photo.

MagicMarker · 24-10-2008 8:22pm

I like the original better...

Having messed about with some HDR yesterday, i determined that PS is shíte for it! Although i'm probably doing something wrong.

I found photomatix to be really good, you can download a trial but it will leave a watermark, which if careful you can clone out. Very user friendly also, unlike PS.

kgiller · 24-10-2008 8:29pm

I like the processing, although you have lost a lot of the detail from the original. I quite like the contrast in the sky in the HDR and the darkness of the shot.

If you threw a few bats in there it would be a great halloween picture

Morrisseeee · 25-10-2008 10:46am

I think you need 'lights' coming out of the tower or the church to make it stand out !

kjt · 25-10-2008 1:11pm

IMO from looking at your original shot, it doesn't need to be a hdr. I can understand you like dark and moody but your hdr is far too dark. Theirs barely any detail in it. HDR for this photo should be used to bring out the detail in the clouds, brick and maybe even the stain glass.

Photoshop can do a good job, but I think it's selective of the shots. Photomatrix is the best for hdr mé thinks

Mellor · 25-10-2008 3:09pm

Original is better imo, you've lost alot of detail

Also is this not just tone mapping as opposed to HDR, to get the dynamic range you need 2+ photos, maybe not, I never do it myself

Shiny · 25-10-2008 4:13pm

The whole reason for a HDR is to bring out detail in photos
where high contrast has resulted in either blown highlights
or black shadows.

The original photo has neither and in fact you have lost detail
with the processing as the bright part of the photo is now
blown in the "HDR" version.

I find HDR's are rarely needed when it is cloudy.

You can still achieve the dark and moody atmosphere by using
the burn tool.

Heavy processing/HDR attempt... C&C

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