[Steve]

I had a play with HDR today, I feel I have not quite got the hang of it yet so any pointers would be helpful.

This shot is from a recent trip to Venice.

[Lloyd]

Never played with HDR but the sky over powers the rest of the picture. The buildings look flat, alittle dark and lacks detail. But what do I know. Excellent image. Hope you don't mind but I've just lighten the buildings using levels.

[Steve]

I don't mind you altering the image to show what you mean, thats why we have the image editing ok option

I can see your point and your example shows it perfectly. As I said I am learning HDR here, this is my first attempt so there is much for me to learn

I'll give it another go and try to get the balance between the sky and the buildings more like your example. Thanks for the feedback

[Joe T]

I think something in between the two versions would be best.

[Steve]

Thanks Joe

If I get time today I'll give this one another go.

[Dave]

Glad to see Steve can't get everything right with Photography

[Steve]

So I re-did this shot,actually this is the shot before the one above as I mixed them up but they were almost the same. The processing has been done differently this time and I have tried to get the balance between the buildings and the sky more natural. Unfortunately I wasn't paying enought attention to the sky and it has become blown out slightly as a result. I am finding thsi HDR stuff very tricky if I am being honest

Is this any better overall?

[dazzajl]

Is this any better overall?

Not for me. I think you had it absolutley spot on in the first post, it's just lovley. The only tiny tiny thing that I could comment on is that I'd like to see some of the space between the little boat on the right taken and given to the gondalas on the left.

No biggy though as it's great as it is. Would happily look at that one day after day on the wall.

[Steve]

Thanks Daz

You are correct about the composition and I am not making excuses but it was just a little tricky taking the shot from a moving boat, that's why I shot two or three slightly different versions in the hope that one would be good enough

With regard to the processing, like you I prefer the original but still feel it looks processed rather than just a well taken photograph. That’s were I am having troubles with Photomatix.

Cheers for adding your thoughts, it's much appreciated

[dazzajl]

but still feel it looks processed rather than just a well taken photograph. That’s were I am having troubles with Photomatix.

It's very tricky to get a natural looking image out of it isn't it. I don't think the 1st shot smacks of heavy process at all. It's in the fact that you could have extracted far more detail in the buildings but left them quite subdued that allows the atmophere to triumph.

[noah]

i agree, the first shot doesnt look 'processed' at all. you've gotten away with it well.