Sunrise...Traditional or HDR?

[navcom]

Hey all. Was out early for some sunrise photography. Our area experienced some very severe flooding about two weeks back. The Mississippi River/Lake Pepin area was up over 8 feet...very unusual for this time of year. Anyhow, the high water made for some interesting compositions.

I've attached two images and would appreciate your opinions about which one you prefer...

This first one was taken just after sunrise and is a traditional exposure with a reverse ND grad filter.



This second one was taken just before sunrise and is an HDR composite of 5 exposures, 1 stop apart. I tried to do one with the sun in it but I had a hard time getting the sun to look natural...




I really like HDR software solutions as a tool to overcome high dynamic range situations but it do not like overly-done HDR when it comes to landscapes and prefer to use ND grads when I can. I'm more traditional in that sense. That being said, I rather like this HDR composition as it really pulls the autumn colors but is it too much? I would like opinions as to which you prefer and a quick comment as to why if you have time.

Thanks a ton!

Jeff

[Photologyst]

I like both.

However, it's apples and oranges and one over the other is very subjective. The HDR looks like a fill flash in the front. You could play with adjusting and even making it more stylized.

[MrJones]

both are great but I love the leaves colors on the HDR.

[bruceliv]

I prefer the 1st image. It's temporal. The silhouetted trees in the background are more natural looking and casts a more dramatic reflection, or the impression thereof. In the 2nd image, the sky behind the background trees looks faked like the trees have a halo.

I would suggest going with the top image and bring out the foreground colors selectively in post-processing. There should be enough info on your file to accomplish that. BTW, it would be nice if one could view "large" images (doesn't have to be originals) on your flickr site.

HDR has its place in very special situations, e.g. inside a dimly lit cathedral with lots of stained glass during the daytime. IMHO, HDR actually detracts from most natural scenes and sometimes reduces the impact of the image and its dynamic range!

To answer your question, yes too much, so much so it pulls the eyes from the more beautiful part of the picture!
Your sunrise on the flooded Miss is beautiful.

[ArtWhims]

I agree that your first picture is more attractive. I think this has to do with the second one having a flash-like lighting to it. Also, I think that the deeper colors in the first photograph enhance the sunrise in a way that the second lacks.

[navcom]

Thanks everyone for the comments and opinions! ND grads have always been my preferred method for dealing with HDR situations but I have used HDR software solutions in the recent years for times when a grad doesn't work the best. But I've always kept it as subtle as possible as I also hate the "halo effect" that can be created.

Recently I've created some more "edgy" versions of my images and sold them alongside the traditional ones. It's interesting that when I post the HDR versions online (without the comparison), I get HUGE raves. People comment how wonderful the colors are and how fantastic the "photograph" is. But when I offer it for sale next to the traditional version, the paying customer always goes for the traditional exposure.

Maybe its due to my marketing niche...local landscape photographer, local scenes and a scenic/tourist town with local and tourist customers. They want realistic images of the area to take home with them. But I also think that as far as landscapes go, the overt HDR versions just don't have the same appeal. I've come to the conclusion that if they want a more impressionist version, they will most likely buy a painting.

[bruceliv]

Flickr is a notorious "atta boy" sight in terms of comments from the public. See what happens if you post the traditional image first. Also, what I like to do, is post my preferred image publicly, then hide the alternative and place it, medium size, as the first comment. Then people tend think a bit before commenting! I especially do this with a B&W, posting the color as the first comment.

For example, click on image to view and see responses:

[navcom]

That's a good idea Bruce. As for Flicker...phhtt!...don't really care too much about comments there. You're right...it's a feel-good site. I use it more for keeping connections with friends, making new friends, and a way to post images on forums such as this. It's not a place for critique. I was referring to some other forums I belong to.

Nice comp BTW!