HDR images and feedback please

[TheDiabetesHero]

These are some examples of my work...and I always feel like there is something missing or im not doing something right...any advice or feedback from these images would be greatly appreciated...thank you

 

[Bynx]

All top notch in my book. Nice collection.

 

[sovietdoc]

The beach scene is very nice. Has most realistic colors of the set. A bit too dark in spots but nice nevertheless.

 

[Brick]

HDR is very subjective, but if you not quite satisfied with your results I would recommend playing with the Light Smoothing (specifically moving the slider to the right if you're using photomatix). Too far to the left and you get the "dirty" look and halo's (like the house shot above).

I really like the 2nd and 4th shots though.

 

[DennyCrane]

I like the 4th picture... the beach scene... the rest look over-processed with way too much tone mapping.

 

[TheDiabetesHero]

HDR is very subjective, but if you not quite satisfied with your results I would recommend playing with the Light Smoothing (specifically moving the slider to the right if you're using photomatix). Too far to the left and you get the "dirty" look and halo's (like the house shot above).

I really like the 2nd and 4th shots though.

I actually added a vignette to the house shot to attempt and make the house pop more...

And ill take the light smoothing factor into account...

Could any of you explain what the light smoothing tool and the micro contrast tools do? I feel Ive got a grasp on the rest of it...

I appreciate yalls support and feedback...