HDR Love or Hate?

[Craigs_D90]

I was just looking at a few HDR attempts that people on DPS have been doing some good some not.

Ive got to be honest and say i really like HDR as theres a nice bit of work that can go in to it. But on the other hand i can see why people may not like it as in some cases can deface a good photo already.

I just wanted some of peoples views on it see what you have to say on the subject.

[Sime]

Dislike.. It's been done (badly) to death.. That's just my personal opinion

[macroMe]

I have the same view as you. Generally I like it...
however I would qualify that remark with saying that there are a heap of seriously overdone images out there. I think that there is a time for HDR and a level at which it should be left alone. Too many photos don't look real with too much HDR.
Just my 2c.

[wattsbw2004]

ALOT of overdone HDR images out there that technically aren't HDR at all, but rather they are just Tonemapped images which is completely different. I love HDR and primarily only shoot that but like everyone else out there you have to start somewhere. Many of these images are overdone becasue the people are new to the technique so they see the overdone and like that. But what many experianced (although not all) photographer are starting to do are use HDR to achieve a very natural look to their images. Taking a scene and trying to recreate it to make it look like you were there is what it's REALLY about.

[compleks]

Not sure about everyone else, but the first time I saw a HDR image I loved it. Wasn't sure if it was a real photo, or how it had been edited, but I loved the colours and feel of it.

After reading comments here I can see why people start to dislike it though. But I guess the reason it is used so much is because it appeals to a lot of people.
It seems as though the haters are mostly experienced photographers and enthusiasts.

[compleks]

Originally Posted by wattsbw2004

ALOT of overdone HDR images out there that technically aren't HDR at all, but rather they are just Tonemapped images which is completely different. I love HDR and primarily only shoot that but like everyone else out there you have to start somewhere. Many of these images are overdone becasue the people are new to the technique so they see the overdone and like that. But what many experianced (although not all) photographer are starting to do are use HDR to achieve a very natural look to their images. Taking a scene and trying to recreate it to make it look like you were there is what it's REALLY about.

Ah, interesting.
See I don't even know technically what HDR is. I just associate it with those (probably badly) overdone photos that everyone has seen.

[candleman]

Originally Posted by Sime™

Dislike.. It's been done (badly) to death.. That's just my personal opinion

yeah, general dislike
its been thrashed to death.. very very few HDR's do i like.
although, when its done well its pretty good.

hance why i dont own photomatix.

[bradzo66]

Out of all the HDR Ive seen Ive only seen a couple that dont look like some crap out of a sci-fi movie I personally have no time for it .( I hate sci-fi too )

[BryanC]

It's not that I dislike HDR for what it is, but for what's been done with it the majority of the time, it seems. A lot of over-processed looking images that at some point, all started looking the same regardless of the subject matter. A generic look with no individual style. I think, or at least hope, the 'newness' will wear off, and will be used more often as a creative element rather than the flood of the over-processed ones. Where the subject matter becomes first again, and not secondary to the processing.

[sk66]

Neither.
I like some, dislike some. I like the over-processed look sometimes, other times I hate it. It has to be applied correctly for the desired result...