DRI, a Mini, and YAS...

[speednut]

Sorry for Yet Another Sunset and car photo...

I'd really like to get some feedback on what I've done here. I've tried doing HDR shots multiple times, but there just seems to be too many compromises on the results based on all the setting options. My HDR results never appear even remotely natural looking. This was my last attempt at an HDR photo and the results were far too hideous to post. Instead I've investigated DRI and been practicing a lot of layer masking. Here's the original three photos that I merged to a DRI photo:


I exposed for the sunset, then the marsh land (midtones), and finally for the car. Using layer masks for each photo and a strong curves adjustment layer to darken the car's body panels, I came up with this result:
(continued in next post...)

[speednut]

I'm concerned that the car is too lit up making it look like I used lighting equipment I don't have. Backing a bit off the darkening curve gives me this photo which I suspect may be worse?


Turning off the curve adjustment layer for the car makes the car look bright silver. Bad or interesting (or fugly )???

Opinions and suggestions are most appreciated.

[yurik]

I think your final results look great.

I prefer the last one, the one with the curve on the car turned off. I don't think it looks fake.

I don't have much in critiques, I think your HDR experiment worked out great.

[hsroxas]

I know what you are trying to achieve. But based on personal taste, I would have been happy with your first shot where you exposed for the sunset. The only thing I would have done is to lighten the shadows a bit. But of course, that is not in consonance with achieving a wide dynamic range.

[mrbobosan]

in this cases you should have used fill flash, with a difuse filter so the light doesnt impact too much in the shot, but you where very clever by doing this... kudoz

[kunaldaswani]

I really like the final result! Good work! Great composition!

[Nieton21]

I really like the shot with the curves on, it is a good combination of all three setting and with the curves on I feel the car stands out perfectly...to me when I look at it especially with the perspecive I get the feel of an adventure, wind blowing. very nice shot!