conservatory

[n8]

We've had this new conservatory open for a few months now, and finally got a change to go. I really lucked out too...it was slow, so they let me use my tripod, otherwise it's monopods only. These are blatantly hdr, not attempts at well balanced exposure, but I'm trying to hone my "artsy" hdr technique.

[MB1]

I like the second a lot.

The first, not so much. Maybe if you had gotten lower so the path was larger in the image.

[n8]

Thanks. I cansee how that would help the composition.

[hminx]

The appeal of the first shot for me is the way that the inclement elements are held at bay this shows that well as the weather outside looks terrible. This type of HDR processing may not be to everyones taste but I think you have achieved what you set out to do. Personally I quite like it and it lifts the image from what might have been a rather dreary image with the lighting what it probably was.

That place must be damned expensive to keep warm....

PPS I think its listing to starboard

[Greg McCary]

The HDR looks good to me. There is a fine line with HDRs. IMO I dont like them if they are over done.

[n8]

The appeal of the first shot for me is the way that the inclement elements are held at bay this shows that well as the weather outside looks terrible. This type of HDR processing may not be to everyones taste but I think you have achieved what you set out to do. Personally I quite like it and it lifts the image from what might have been a rather dreary image with the lighting what it probably was.

That place must be damned expensive to keep warm....

PPS I think its listing to starboard

Thanks Pete. I actually wasn't to bad outside, but the windows were all fogged up b/c how how warm and humid it was in there. The real challenge with those windows is that Photomatix likes to leave you with nasty grey blobs, so I think I had to paint in some of one of the original exposures.

Good to hear that I was able to avoid crossing the "overdone" line Greg

[EOSThree]

I like the HDR look here. They look like scenes out of a good graphics video game, like I should click on the lens in the second one to find the next clue.

[armando_m]

first one needs a bit of perspective correction ??

HDR treatment is nice, not sure the second needed it ?

[n8]

who says a nice hdr treatment has to be needed;)

[gahspidy]

I agree with MB1 on his points here. I do like the bottom shot very much. The hdr treatment worked perfectly there especially on the lower portion of the image where its sopft and washed out a bit. It has a dreamy look which matches well with the subject.

[GB1]

I think they look pleasant. There's HDR for balancing, and then there's HDR for artsy expression: this one's definitely art, but is not too crazy which is good. As far as the scenes, they're interesting but I feel that the compositions could probably use a little adjustment. The top one has great span, but the background doesn't complement the foreground as well. Still very interesting! The bottom shot is well done, though I keep asking myself what is this?

G

[n8]

There's really no escaping the bg in a place like this, but I think for all intensive purposes, I was very pleased with my pp in #1 regarding the windows and the blending of the tone mapped and original average exposure.
#2 is actually a kaleidoscope of sorts, at least the brass parts are.

[draymorton]

Talk about freaky detail!

I love the second one. HDR treatment works very well at bringing out the fine points. Could you back off slightly on the crop at the top end?

The HDR in the first is heavy-handed, but it's done well and it works. I really like the illustrated look. And you definitely chose the right day to shoot.

Compositionally-speaking, as it is now, there's a balance between all of the elements. If you had done what MB1 suggested, the path would have overwhelmed everything else.