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A few from the Cockatoo 2x2 meet. While not usually a HDR tinkerer, I set out with the intent of doing this for the meet so almost every shot I took was bracketed. These are all either 3 or 4 shots merged using Photomatix Pro. Please give me feedback on the good and the bad of these. Even if you think they're crap!

More images can be found HERE




(To see a single shot, non HDR version of the image below go HERE)





To see a single shot, non HDR version of the image below go HERE)

Peter, I would like to hear your opinions on what you have done here. As HDR's go these are tame but at the same time they are not natural looking, I think they are a bit overcooked and starting to have a CGI (computer generated image) feel about them. I often have this problem with HDR but I have kept this processing option for it is rewarding when I can retain the natural feel of the image whilst increaseing dynamic range.

Good to see your work.

Cheers
Cameron

Cameron

Thanks for the honest critique. I undertsand what you mean by the overcooked CGI comment. Perversely I think that's what appeals to me about these - they are hyper real somehow. I'll be very interested in further commentary.

I've also edited the original post to include links to non HDR versions of two of the shots.

Of the 2 that you posted a link to the originals (1 shot), I prefer the HDR versions.

#1 does not do much for me I am afraid.
#2 I like the original blue colour in the 2nd in the HDR version, the single shot looks a bit bright to me. (i flicked back and forth between the 2 at your smugmug site). Have you got any shots that has all the handle, and rusty wheel (top right) in frame?

#4 I like the HDR version, because there are no blown bits, so you can see all the panes of the windows. Can you adjust the windows on the right side, becuase thay are a bit brighter than the rest?

I think you could crop some off the top (go to about the middle diagonal line (at the roof). My eye also get a bit distracted in the stuff at bottom right, and could maybe crop in line with the bottom of the square pit, above the out of line square ...

Thanks for sharing these Peter.

I am not crazy about these HDRs.

My favourite out of your series is this one.
http://stubbsy.smugmug.com/gallery/5663426_84udQ#367309712_6ibfJ-A-LB
The blues are really smooth and the composition is great.

#4 is really good without the HDR.

I like the last Peter.
I prefer the hdr version to the plain as well.
Imagine the power needed just to get that lathe to start.

Stubbsy,

The first one is just a little to busy, try to get the Basins more as the main subject they look very interresting with the plumbing. Maybe you can scale the HDR effect down a little on the walls.

The second one is to tight for my taste would love to see more space around the machine.

The third and fourth are fantastic, love the colours and softness.

Perversely I think that's what appeals to me about these - they are hyper real somehow

Peter, I think that raises a very important point, it all depends on what the person is trying to get out of the images, this as stated many times, is a personal preference, I think the HDR you have used here suits the environament and particularly if you are going for that style of hyper-real video game style - halflife 2 with the hdr and sun blooms comes to mind!

this particular set I think is held up by the processing only (excluding the last) - compositionally the first 3 dont rock my world, but the treatment is nice.

The last image is my favorite of the set, it is quite the scene and has the right elements for HDR and i as the viewer feel there is something interesting to look at..

Lookign at you linked set, I really like the Cockatoo Machine #3 one that is nioce