November Sunset

[kap55]

A 3 shot HDR from one of my favorite locations. C&C welcome. I'm sure some will object to the outcropping in the bottom left - it may or may not get cropped out depending on final use/aspect ratio of the photo. Next time I'll try to get a little closer to the cliff.

http://pacificphotographics.smugmug....ed-Edit-X3.jpg

[Shadowman]

Very colorful.

[IzzieK]

Brian...nice shot -- but you have to upload that shot here in this post, not a link to it. Oh well...

[bnnrcn]

Hi Brian, I like the shot I'm abit confused though, because the sky and mountains don't look as if it is HDR although the HDR effect is noticeable in the rest of the image

[kap55]

Hi Brian, I like the shot I'm abit confused though, because the sky and mountains don't look as if it is HDR although the HDR effect is noticeable in the rest of the image

Hi Binnur and thanks. When I do my HDRs they usually come out looking much like the sky and mountains - in otherwords the "HDR look" is minimal. I then use Topaz to open up the city and that is what gives the effect you notice.

[Downrigger]

This is an appealing image. It is all the more interesting to me owing to how you have made the HDR processing effect is discordant between the near and far terrain and sky.
HDR effects evoke strong responses. To me, an HDR image to a non-HDR version is analogous to the relationship between an illustration and a painting, the difference being largely a matter of taste and I think also a difference quite particular to the subject and the nature of the treatments. Here, I suspect the treatment you provided made the image more interesting that perhaps otherwise possible without HDR.

[JR1]

for me hdr ruins it looks overdone

[tbob]

Keep the outcrop. Gives depth and a taste of the local environment.

[kap55]

for me hdr ruins it looks overdone

HDR is the only way I can capture a shot of the sun (like this one), so I don't believe that it's ruining anything - it is a necessary evil. The work I did in Topaz may have "ruined" the HDR shot that I have, and if that's what you're saying then I can respect your opinion.

[kap55]

Keep the outcrop. Gives depth and a taste of the local environment.

Appreciate the comment. This was my feeling as well.

[kap55]

This is an appealing image. It is all the more interesting to me owing to how you have made the HDR processing effect is discordant between the near and far terrain and sky.
HDR effects evoke strong responses. To me, an HDR image to a non-HDR version is analogous to the relationship between an illustration and a painting, the difference being largely a matter of taste and I think also a difference quite particular to the subject and the nature of the treatments. Here, I suspect the treatment you provided made the image more interesting that perhaps otherwise possible without HDR.

Thank you for you thoughts. Many people are turned off by HDR because they think it is over the top. I don't believe HDR itself is the problem - it is the extremes of contrast enhancement and color boost that some people object to. I generally try to keep my HDR work as natural as possible and then add color and contrast punch with Topaz. Just to illustrate here is the basic HDR version of the above image, as well as the final image (posted here as per Izzy's request).

[HaseebM]

That is an outstanding image, well done!

[kap55]

That is an outstanding image, well done!

Thank you very much.

[bnnrcn]

Thanks for the explanation Brian. Your original HDR looks nice too