Chicago After the Storm HDR

[Mandar]

Hi,

This is my first serious attempt at HDR. I was in Chicago for the Airshow last weekend and got lucky with the weather in the morning There was this big thunderstorm which stopped the Air show but got an opportunity to take pictures.
This is a merge of 3 exposures I think they were -2 0 +2 . Please let me know if you have any suggestions/Critique improvement ideas about the processing or compositon.
Exif:
Aperture: f13
Shutter: 1/160
ISO 400 (bumped the ISO so I could get 3 handheld exposures)

Used Pohtomatix trial version for HDR. GIMP for some adjustments in contrast.

[scootermcq]

As far as processing goes, it looks good. No real decearnable halos and you have detail in highlight & shadow. Buildings are a little blue.... might want to turn down that channel a little.

Composition wise, the image does not really do much for me. I'm not really sure why. It just one of those images that "is what it is" pictures. Few things, I think cutting off the base of the sculpture when it appears to be the focus does not work for me. I think if you had chosen a larger aperture and defocused the city, so it is background and not really part of the primary image might have helped. Also, a few steps to the left, so the sculpture did not overlap the closer building on the left.

Overall, the image is fine, it just does not make me go WOW.....

[EOBeav]

+1 for what Scooter said.

Compositionally, an HDR shot needs to stand on it's own as a photograph.

Technically, I think you could use a little more contrast and improve your color situation. When I'm using Photomatix, I usually import it back into Lightroom/GIMP to make further adjustments. YMMV.

[mpaulison]

Composition-wise, it's a little tense for me. the sculpture seems to be 'looking' left which would have worked better for me if it was toward the right. Also, I think if it was maybe a little heavier at the bottom, maybe a little darker, it would work. No halos and nice colors, though.

[Mandar]

Thanks scootermcq, EOBeav, mpaulison for your inputs. All of your ideas will help me improve my shots.
I did notice that I had cut the bottom of the sculpture that Scootermcq mentioned, but unfortunately can only be improved on my next shoot and also the overlap with the structure on the left..I guess I blame my hieght..but definately agree to the point..should have seen that and tried to change the compostion.
Thanks again for all the comments.