Chateauroux, France, Couple of Candid shots C&C pls.

[RobN185]

Wandered around Chateauroux a few weeks ago with the intent of taking a few candid shots.
These are a couple of the results...

1. SALUT!
1exp pseudo HDR, toned to B&W

2. Je t'adore
Rough and ready shot of a couple below the St,Valentine's Day sign, there was another person immediately behind them - I have tried to remove them.

 

[RobN185]

Any comments or critique on the processing of #1, does it suit the subject?

 

[Alpha]

#1 seems to be lacking an awful lot of shadow detail for an HDR.

 

[RobN185]

Hi Alpha, agreed...
This is only a single exp "pseudo" HDR, and dark shadows were added back when converting to BW.
I wanted the heavy textures of the stonework to come through, so I tried the HDR / tone mapped route.
Here is the original "HDR" ...

Thanks for your comments, Alpha, but I was hoping for a comment on whether the it worked or not for this subject.