C&C - does this photo look too fake and unrealistic?

[jdong217]

First of all, I'll say that it's HDR. However, here is an unedited version of the +2 exposure image (converted from raw to jpeg for easier uploading). I'm not sure why the weird streaks are there but I thought the +2 original image (and the 0 EV one) look pretty similar. I was told by multiple friends that the edited one looks to fake and unrealistic, and I'm sort of inclined to agree. However, the straight off the camera image looks that way too imo...Edited:Untitled by justindong, on FlickrOriginal +2 EV:DSC_5663 by justindong, on Flickr

 

[Trever1t]

it's a cool shot, good composition and interesting. I like it.

 

[naptime]

i like the first better than the second.

the second is too washed around the rim.


in the bottom right there is a darker object with that yellowish tree right in front of it.. makes me think of a jet engine that just sucked something into it.

 

[MLeeK]

Did you push the clarity slider or something in that? The lights are beautiful, but the way the clouds came out in the after shot is a bit of a detraction.