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Too HDR or not? · 02:38 AM

Went for a cycle ride the other morning and managed to capture my favorite scene, sunbeams. Now because of the extreme contrast in the scene I have processed the image in three ways. First the normal shot, but with levels to bring out details in the stone wall. Then with Topazadjust4 in CS5 as a HDR shot, am not usually a fan but think it works well given the extreme contrast. And finally a black and white conversion of the HDR shot.

Which do you think is best?

suncrimson · 09-29-2011, 03:09 AM

I like the BW one most because the contrast and sharpness, especially the light ray from the sun

then the top one which has a better color to my eye than the 2nd one. The 2nd one is a little too much and fake.

daacon · 09-29-2011, 04:34 AM

I would agree except Iprefer the first one then the BW ,I am just starting to play with HDR , its fun but so easy to overdue it and some images look good overdone.

**baro-nite** · 09-29-2011, 06:01 AM

I'm in general agreement with the other commenters. And like you, I'm not a fan of that "HDR" tonemapped look but do find HDR software a useful tool at times. I don't like what it did to the colors in #2. I like #3; it's an example of "the HDR look" that is well done. That said, I would dial it down somewhat for more overall contrast and to give the sunbeams more effect.

GDRoth · 09-29-2011, 07:02 AM

What I like about HDR is not so much the "toned" overdone look, but it's ability to bring out the details often lost in the shadows of a non-HDR shot, especially a shot like the OP's with the direct sun....

Maybe that means I'm not a good enough photog to get it right the first time.......

charliezap · 09-29-2011, 07:08 AM

My vote Steve is for the first photo.---charliezap

**Basset** · 09-29-2011, 07:19 AM

#3 looks overexposed. #2 too much color. #1 seems spot on.

sameagle · 09-29-2011, 08:14 AM

#1 gets my vote.

- Sam

loco · 09-29-2011, 09:30 AM

I like #1 the best, too! Very nice!

Rupert · 09-29-2011, 10:18 AM

I like the first one, but would tone down the green a little. Nice shot!
Regards!

**Bob Harris** · 09-29-2011, 10:49 AM

I don't really care for HDR, but this one was not overdone at all, and added a dimension and color that is very pleasant to view. Great job, Bob

Guayabero · 09-29-2011, 12:19 PM

I am a fan of color, so I like the first two.

boone · 09-29-2011, 12:21 PM

BW... More sharp and detailed.

Ron Kruger · 09-29-2011, 12:24 PM

Like most everyone, I hate to agree with Rupert, but #1 would be a dandy with less green. Grass along the wall looks odd. Just kidding, Rupert, I shoot squirrels too.

**crewl1** · 09-29-2011, 12:35 PM

#1 as the shading in the tree looks more natural. Great shot!

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09-29-2011, 03:09 AM	#2
suncrimson Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Beijing Photos: Albums Posts: 52	I like the BW one most because the contrast and sharpness, especially the light ray from the sun then the top one which has a better color to my eye than the 2nd one. The 2nd one is a little too much and fake.

09-29-2011, 04:34 AM	#3
daacon Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Alberta,Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 20,914	I would agree except Iprefer the first one then the BW ,I am just starting to play with HDR , its fun but so easy to overdue it and some images look good overdone.

09-29-2011, 06:01 AM	#4
baro-nite Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: North Carolina, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,295	I'm in general agreement with the other commenters. And like you, I'm not a fan of that "HDR" tonemapped look but do find HDR software a useful tool at times. I don't like what it did to the colors in #2. I like #3; it's an example of "the HDR look" that is well done. That said, I would dial it down somewhat for more overall contrast and to give the sunbeams more effect.

09-29-2011, 07:02 AM	#5
GDRoth Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: S.E. Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 830	What I like about HDR is not so much the "toned" overdone look, but it's ability to bring out the details often lost in the shadows of a non-HDR shot, especially a shot like the OP's with the direct sun.... Maybe that means I'm not a good enough photog to get it right the first time.......

09-29-2011, 07:08 AM	#6
charliezap Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: saugus ma Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,686	My vote Steve is for the first photo.---charliezap

09-29-2011, 07:19 AM	#7
Basset Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Photos: Albums Posts: 340	#3 looks overexposed. #2 too much color. #1 seems spot on.

09-29-2011, 08:14 AM	#8
sameagle Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Boston, MA Photos: Gallery Posts: 323	#1 gets my vote. - Sam

09-29-2011, 09:30 AM	#9
loco Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,846	I like #1 the best, too! Very nice!

09-29-2011, 10:18 AM	#10
Rupert Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 25,123	I like the first one, but would tone down the green a little. Nice shot! Regards!

09-29-2011, 10:49 AM	#11
Bob Harris Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Canon City, Colorado Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 18,477	I don't really care for HDR, but this one was not overdone at all, and added a dimension and color that is very pleasant to view. Great job, Bob

09-29-2011, 12:19 PM	#12
Guayabero Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 64	I am a fan of color, so I like the first two.

09-29-2011, 12:21 PM	#13
boone Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Vientiane Photos: Albums Posts: 100	BW... More sharp and detailed.

09-29-2011, 12:24 PM	#14
Ron Kruger Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Missouri Posts: 534	Like most everyone, I hate to agree with Rupert, but #1 would be a dandy with less green. Grass along the wall looks odd. Just kidding, Rupert, I shoot squirrels too.

09-29-2011, 12:35 PM	#15
crewl1 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,807	#1 as the shading in the tree looks more natural. Great shot!

Landscape Too HDR or not?

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