A quick B&W HDR

[campeterz]

Here is an HDR I did in Hawaii without a tripod, out a car window. (20D, kit lens) I don't normally do black and white, but this one looked interesting, so I gave it a try. I used the photomatix present, but no other forms of editing.

 

[D-B-J]

The highlights are blown in the sky. So not a successful HDR in my opinion.

 

[dxqcanada2 1]

Image looks flat ... need more contrast.
What does the non-HDR image look like ?

 

[campeterz]

The highlights are blown in the sky. So not a successful HDR in my opinion.

How would I best fix this?

 

[D-B-J]

The highlights are blown in the sky. So not a successful HDR in my opinion.

How would I best fix this?

Not use a preset. Or use a preset as a baseline, and adjust the sliders until you get what you want. How many exposures was this?

 

[oldmacman]

The highlights are blown in the sky. So not a successful HDR in my opinion.

How would I best fix this?

You could try a level adjust and introduce some black. The tones seem to be hanging around middle grey. Bringing up the mid-tines will reduce the appearance of the blown out area. These tweaks are all just personal taste, but may give you some ideas for refinement.

 

[campeterz]

Image looks flat ... need more contrast.
What does the non-HDR image look like ?

Not great, the exposure is set on the sky so it is very dark on the lava rock.

Now I realize I should have posted this in the Just for Fun section, as I almost never do black and white, and I am new to HDR shots...

 

[D-B-J]

The highlights are blown in the sky. So not a successful HDR in my opinion.

How would I best fix this?

You could try a level adjust and introduce some black. The tones seem to be hanging around middle grey. Bringing up the mid-tines will reduce the appearance of the blown out area. These tweaks are all just personal taste, but may give you some ideas for refinement.

Far too dark i think

 

[fokker]

I like it (the original posted) personally. Perhaps a bit more contrast wouldn't hurt, but the edit posted is too dark I think.

 

[pugnacious33]

I like the first one, nothing wrong with it IMO. I think maybe if it was shot with a wider lens it would have a bit more depth. I think the bright areas of sky actually add to it. Many on here see "blown" sky as a no-no, and I agree when the entire sky is blown, but when done like this, gives the feel of light poking through, Nice.