First try at HDR

[dankellys]

Although this is my first post I have been reading this forum for quite some time, and have learnt quite a lot about HDR. The photos I used to create the image below were given to me by a friend (-2, 0 and +2). Here is my first go at it:

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Critique please

 

[Bynx]

You learn well grasshopper. Very nice processing. I dont know if the scene was as yellow as that because using Photomatix seems to bring the yellow out more than natural. This is what gives some that nuclear yellow green grass. In this case though, Im guessing there are just a lot of yellow flowers.

 

[dankellys]

Thanks Bynx, yes the original was very yellow, but really enjoyed playing around with the image in photomatix and photoshop. I am just starting out in photography and looking to buy my first SLR (think im going to go for the Nikon D5100 with 2 kit lenses) and I really like the idea of getting into HDR photography.

 

[Bynx]

The jump from 5100 to 7000 isnt that much money wise but the 7000 offers a lot of features which will come in handy. Id recommend you go for the 7000 instead. Lens wise Id recommend Sigma 10-20mm and then a good zoom like 28-300. I have this setup and find they both get used equally and Im never feeling like Im missing anything.

 

[vipgraphx]

little critique I can give is that it seems like you have lost detail in the foreground foliage and the trees.

compostion wise I would have changed the direction of the camera towards the mountains more. I am not sure what you were wanting to capture but, my eye keeps going down that path on the right side and then stops. When I look around I keep getting drawn back into that area and my eye stops again.

The yellow color does not bother me at all. I can see what bynx is saying but I am guessing it was similar to that color when you were out there in person.

I think over all your processing is really good very realistic, to me its almost as if its not an HDR.