HDR vs. Standard

Lackoffunding · May 12, 2007

So I did this shot both ways, and am wondering which is the preferred. To me, the HDR seems a bit cartoony...? The standard version probably isnt edited as well as it should be though.

thanks

HDR

Standard

abraxas · May 12, 2007

Maybe back off the luminosity and saturation a bit in photomatix?

LaFoto · May 12, 2007

Funny to see that also you chose a light-rays-through-the-clouds photo to try Photomatix-HDR on it ... because I did the same.
Only have I never put my "normal", i.e. edited in PS, version plus the total amateur HDR (I can't do any better than that!) out here for discussion, though I always thought I might... but I won't. I don't like my HDR version, simple as that.

Which is NOT to say I don't like yours ... :scratch: ... only I think it suffers from the same mine did suffer from: too much saturation. Maybe some more editing work on the "normal" photo could do the trick in the end? I don't know...? I am having a hard time with the tone mapping myself, too. Never know what is good and what is over the top...

xfloggingkylex · May 12, 2007

abraxas said:
Maybe back off the luminosity and saturation a bit in photomatix?

I do like the extra saturated feel, but I agree that backing off the saturation may help it look more natural.

JIP · May 12, 2007

I think #2 is a little flat the HDR image is well done but I think the clouds are a little dark.

William · May 12, 2007

HDR minus watermarks

shorty6049 · May 13, 2007

i like the watermarks, they add an element of symmetry to the image....

(i like HDR better)

julius · May 13, 2007

Perhaps a combination of both could work

Try messing with some of the settings in the tone mapping part of photomatix to get a more realistic feel. There's no reason you can't extend the dynamic range without going over the top

abraxas · May 13, 2007

You have ote so I figured I'd see what I could get out of the standard;

I started out trying to keep track, but after awhile...

xfloggingkylex · May 13, 2007

abraxas said:
You have ote so I figured I'd see what I could get out of the standard;

I started out trying to keep track, but after awhile...

that looks much more saturated than the original, and the detail in the clouds just isn't the same.

gizmo2071 · May 13, 2007

I prefer the original.
Just burn more detail in the clouds and maybe a bit more contrast overall.
Of course it's personal tase

I like some HDR's, but I just don't think it needs to be used here when you already have so much detail to work with in the original.

abraxas · May 13, 2007

xfloggingkylex said:
that looks much more saturated than the original, and the detail in the clouds just isn't the same.

I just tried bringing out the saturation in the original/standard- thought it was too much in the hdr. Didn't realize it was two different shots until I posted the edit.

Anyhow, Lackoffunding, I'm going to flip-flop and agree with Gizmo. There's still a lot that can be brought out of the standard shot.