[fletch]

When you look at a scene what do you see? Can you see the deep blue sky? Can you see the detail in the shadowy areas of the door? if so then there is no harm in recreating that look using HDR.

One of the reasons HDR often looks fake and computerised is that images lack overall contrast (the dark areas are very light and the ligh areas dark) but have very high local contrast (enhnacing the textures in brick etc). Its partly down to the concept of HDR but mainly down to specifics of certain tone mapping software (photomatix). It can be avoided and its a fine line between natural, fantasy land or not even HDR anymore. It can be fun trying to work it out but it shouldn't be a crutch for crappy light or composition.