Canberra...some HDRs...help needed

[aim54x]

I just wanted to get some feedback on some HDRs that I did from my recent trip to Canberra.

I had a bit of a problem with the sun glare in this one (it turned out as a grey blotch) so I have used a control point in Capture NX2 to try to fix it.


This one turned out alright, but I am uncertain about the colours...are they too unnatural?

[dviv]

Second one looks good to me. Colours seem pretty close.

The first one is very unnatural - the colours are off it has that fake look that some HDR's get.

[bigsarg7]

cam, the second one i think looks fantastic, i lived there in canberra a few years back and there is a specific time of the day in autumn where the colours you've captured and hdr have been emphasised that reminds me of that time! Its such a beautiful place to go and photograph. I only wish i had have had my current gear when i lived there as there are just so many different opportunities and places to photograph there. Overall I love the second and in all honesty in my opinion (which doesn't hold much value) i would suggest a crop at the top and the bottom to make it more pano, and i would love to hang it in my house, serious! i love the HDR you've done on this shot you've truly captured my favourite memories of canberra! love it! Let me know if you do a tighter crop, i'd love to see it!

[biggerry]

HDR and trees with lots of leaves and filtering light typically turn out pretty strange. Also with the sun if you want it to be anything decent you need to really , really under expose it or it will just be a big grey blob.

The composition in #1 shows promise, maybe going to a BW conversion would help address any weird colour issues..

#2 is a really nice composition, as already mentioned, cropping down to a pano would be the ticket. Also some sharpening is required, especially if this HDR has come out of photomatix, which for me always comes out not sharp.

Also clone out that fuzzy swan

[surenj]

One other suggestion for the #1 would be to layer the originals in the bottom and try and blend them a little in the area of the sun and see whether you can reduce that ghastly purple color. Otherwise go BW as Gerry suggested.

The other suggestion only suiting strobists is to actually light the tree with a few flashes. At 1/250 F9 you will probably need a few. Then use a extreme underexposure shot to build up the sun as needed.

[biggerry]

The more I look at #2 the more I like it , I hope you dont mind Cam, I had a little tweak with your image.

[Murray Foote]

The thing that disturbs me a little with the first one is the magenta caste in part of the sky and water.

With the second, I don't think it's the colours that are the problem but the tonality. The sky behind the Carillion is a bit too heavy and I don't think the gradation of tonality from near the trees to the sky up to the right is as convincng as it might be. Also applies to the water on the right, to perhaps a lesser extent.

Careful adjustment with masks and layers in Photoshop should help.

[aim54x]

Thanks for all the advice, I will have to have a go with the 1st in black and white, but Gerry you have done a nice job with the 2nd.