Does this really improve my flower pic?

[cyber3d]

So, I could not figure out which Critique forum to put this into. Decided this might be the best fit. Just got the Canon G12 as a between camera to the Leica V-LUX 20 and the Canon 60D. Shot first pics in my backyard of these flowers as you'll see if you click on the "Before" link. In PSD, did a tonal HDR et voila!

Does it help? Curious to hear your thoughts.

After:



Before:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/9460209@N03/6212060899/



Camera Model Name: Canon PowerShot G12
Shooting Date/Time: 07/22/11 06:36:27
Shooting Mode: Program AE
My Colors Mode: Off
Tv (Shutter Speed): 1/500
Av (Aperture Value): 4.0
Light Metering: Evaluative
Exposure Compensation: 0
ISO Speed: 80
Lens 6.1 - 30.5mm / Focal Length: 6.1mm
IS Mode: On
Image Size: 3648x2736
Image Quality: RAW
Flash: Off
White Balance: Auto
White balance compensation: 0, 0
AF Mode: Continuous AF
AF Range: Mode Macro
Parameters
Contrast: Normal
Sharpness: Normal
Saturation: Normal
Color Space: sRGB
File Size: 10311KB
Drive Mode: Single Shot

[RichardTaylor]

My preference is the after pic.

[John Hendry]

No I realy dont like the after picture, its just so unreal and false. does nothing for the image.

All the best

[FlyingKiwiGirl]

I like the after pic although the green looks a little false. I love these "paper" flowers they remind me of my childhood.

[BexJarratt]

I like the tone of the before one, it looks more realistic, maybe a little too cool. I think the detail of the middle of the flower comes across better. It is a more delicate image, more serene. A fresh spring morning where you can feel summer is just around the corner.

The after image, I agree with flying kiwi girl, is too OTT on the green. To me this looks more like a painting, (made me think of Van Gogh's sunflowers, so not a bad thing!) it conveys a completely different emotion to me. This one is a hot dry evening where the heat rasps at the back of your nose like hayfever.

[cyber3d]

Everyone, thank you for your feedback. I appreciate the consideration.
"BexJarratt" thank you for your articulate thoughts on the pic.

In my opinion, HDR is a very interesting effect ... that ... sometimes can make an image ... well, "more interesting." I think of it like the hyper real airbrush artists of the 80s. Mostly I see the HDR technique applied to scenic shots. Personally, I think it works best there. It's fun to play with however.

It's my first attempt at it using PSD's "tonal HDR"

[Tzetsin]

Originally Posted by John Hendry

No I realy dont like the after picture, its just so unreal and false. does nothing for the image.

All the best

I think your nuts. the before image is dull and lifeless. The after Image has nice vivid colour and is heads and tales better than the original. I dont know what kind of flowers you look at, but the after image looks a helluvalot more "real" than the unsaturated underexposed image it started as.

Op, you asked if the effect made it better and the answer is YES.

[Wolfsburg]

Who cares if the green doesn't look true to life? The photo looks more vibrant than the original.

[Kalogerus]

Ok I like a few things about each, and dislike a few things about each.

The Before Photo:

Likes:
-The shadows, the dark touch to it, gives it a real feel.
-The natural colors, they are well toned and colors have a melody-like flow

Dislikes:
-Too dim, it kinda... hmmm how do i say this? not vivid enough? It does not really attract the eye.

The After Photo:

Likes:
-Its far from being dim, colors are more vivid, welcomes the eye to look some more

Dislikes:
-Lack of shade? The areas supposed to be dark are not dark enough
-Colors dont flow. They are not in harmony and "fighting" with each other for the spotlight, especially that green is too bright it takes away the focus from the original focal point as theres no contrast between them.

Its kinda unreal as John Hendry said. That takes away its natural look and replaces it with an artificial mood, takes away the meaning. As some may say who cares, well its an opinion in the end and you KNOW something is off by having these doubts

Suggestions:

Perhaps add a B&W gradient map, set it to Soft Light and set transparency to 80% then add a Brightness/Contrast layer and set brightness to 5 and Contrast to 30.

I kind of got this result in 2 mins adjustment, but there are so many tools you can use to adjust colors such as Levels, Selective Color, Curves.

Brightness/Contrast is a very important tool to be familiar with especially with color photos.

Good luck

-Kalo