HDR attempt

[kevinlowe]

I have been having a stab at an HDR image, and as I know there are some very skilled photographers on here who use the technique, I would really appreciate a bit of feedback. You should be able to click on the image for a bigger version.

[pammie]

Hi Kevin

I think the HDR style suits this image well, it doesn't always suit everything.

The sky is very good, plenty of colour and contrast.

For me, I would have cropped the majority of the bottom steps out, as I feel they draw your attention, and do not add so much to the image. This would mean the viewer can concentrate on the pavillion itself.

All in all, a good dramatic image.

Pammie

[Paul Jones]

I think the HDR style suits this image well, it doesn't always suit everything.

Ditto that, ^^

I don't really have much to add, Kevin, sorry. The colours and contrast are nice and the overall composition is pleasing to the eye.

I think the bottom steps help with the composition as they lead ones eye up to the pavilion. If anything, I would have possibly included more steps if there were any so that the pavilion was pushed right up into the top third of the frame (but that's just me...)

[Theo Dibbits]

Kevin

I am not a great lover of HDR so my comments maybe a little negative.

I like the sky and I like the steps.
For me the red brickwork is over-done so I would desaturate that a little.
And I would get rid of the branches of the tree on the right (not the ones behind the building) the orange blob in the centre and the drainpipe on the far right of the image.
I am not sure what is happening at the main entrance to the building at the top of the steps.

Just my 2 pennies worth.

Theo

[kevinlowe]

Thanks for the feedback. I can see how the HDR style wouldn't suit every picture, in fact just 30 seconds flicking around flickr and I was well aware that it can look truly awful. I'm stil really just starting out in photography, and keen to give everything a go.

I left all the steps in as I did think they led the eye into the image, but if I'd cropped them out maybe some of the detail of the Pavillion would be slightly less confusing. Theo - the Pavillion is currently under renovation, so the orange blob in the window and the main entrance are boarded. The entrance has a fair amount of grafitti which does look a bit messy when you can't clearly see what it is I suppose.

Again, thanks for the feedback. I want to keep improving , and it's honest comments from people whose photography I do admire that will get me there.

[Paul Jones]

... the orange blob in the window and the main entrance are boarded.

If you want an accurate record of the building, leave it as it is.
If you want an idealised version of the building it would probably be an easy fix to clone out the boarded up window.

[kevinlowe]

... the orange blob in the window and the main entrance are boarded.

If you want an accurate record of the building, leave it as it is.
If you want an idealised version of the building it would probably be an easy fix to clone out the boarded up window.

Personally, I am quite happy with this image, and for a first go at a new technique I don't think I've acquitted myself too badly. I could have done some cloning work on it - that's one area of photoshop I think I'm actually quite skilled at. But I like it as it is. I think it adds character, and character is what I like in a building. Also, I've had this printed as a possible entry in the prints comp, and print size it is easier to make out details like the board and the grafitti.

[Paul Jones]

Personally, I am quite happy with this image, and for a first go at a new technique I don't think I've acquitted myself too badly.

Not at all.
And it''s nice to see people posting photos for comment.