A little input on a recent HDR image...

[Stevo96]

Hey everyone, thanks for checking out this thread. I'm relatively new to the art of photography, even though I've been taking pictures for years. I never knew how much fun this could be. I've finally begun learning how to work the basic functions of my entry level dSLR (a Sony A300), and it's really been an eye-opening experience.

Most recently, I've been experimenting with some HDR images. I posted a few of these images in the SYS forum, and then went back and did a little more work on one of them. Please let me know if the noise reduction, sharpness, and colors are any good in this image. Also, I would be interested to know what everyone thinks about the composition of the image itself. Thank you in advance for your input.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/79472370@N00/

[NgaiHill]

Nice shot, I like it. I like that you have not overdone the HDR and it looks natural. Compositionally I think you've done a good job, that stream in the foreground is a good start point for he eye to enter the scene. I find the tree a little too close to centre - a bit of a crop on the right might help. But the colours are brilliant, well taken with the sun behind the tree.

[Sterling]

^^ I agree totally. It's nice to see a vibrant HDR without any halos!

[EOBeav]

The HDR is nicely done. Compositionally, the stream in front is distracting, and doesn't really lead my eye anywhere important. In fact, it tends to lead me away from your spectacular sunstar. Crop judiciously. Thanks for the post, and keep shooting!

[ihsankhairir]

Agree with EOBeav. Also, I think the sky should be featured more in this HDR, look at the brilliant colors! Love the spokes of the light rays.

[BigFuzzy]

Originally Posted by Sterling

^^ I agree totally. It's nice to see a vibrant HDR without any halos!

Yeah, thank god for actually seeing a properly done HDR with no halos. I hate hate hate HDR typically because people don't take the time to do it right. You did, and it shows. Well done.

Originally Posted by EOBeav

The HDR is nicely done. Compositionally, the stream in front is distracting, and doesn't really lead my eye anywhere important. In fact, it tends to lead me away from your spectacular sunstar. Crop judiciously. Thanks for the post, and keep shooting!

Agree, the stream really doesn't add anything to me either. I see what you were trying to do in terms of foreground interest, but to me it actually takes away from the image.

Otherwise, well done on a crackin' shot.

[georg_f]

looks great

[Stevo96]

Thanks for the critique and the kind words. I tried really hard not to over do the HDR and to avoid the infamous halo associated with HDR. I'm trying to work on composition (among lots of other things lol), and I'm also scouring the web trying to read as much as I can about the art of photography. I've seen a lot of amazing photos and hopefully I'll be able to get some like the ones I've seen here on the forums and also on other sites. I'm going to head out this weekend and try to get a few shots to see about getting some more images done. Thanks again