Single Image HDR

[flytyer57]

I took this photo earlier today at 5:18 pm, after driving 60 miles to a small town at the southern end of the county. The sun was shining profusely without a cloud in the sky. I couldn't stick around much longer to wait for better lighting, so I did what I could in post and this is what I came up with.
What do you think of the overall composition of this photo?

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T2i
F-Stop: f/16
Exposure: 1/25sec.
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 35mm

[travelpat]

Why single image HDR? You know that you have to take more than one exposure to create a HDR?

[flytyer57]

Okay. Maybe it's not true HDR. I used Photomatix Pro to process this single photo.
So what do you think of the composition?

[Tito87]

I think the composition is fine. The PP, at least to me, looks overdone.

[PhotoGnat]

I'm fairly new to photography so take my opinion with a grain of salt. Overall it's a nice picture, but it doesn't seem like anything special just a rundown store front. Not much of a story. I'm not sure I'm feeling the one shot HDR and it looks a little overcooked but thats just my opinion. Also the image is tilted slightly left.

[Krusty79]

I think the composition is okay, but nothing compelling. For some reason, my eye keeps staying on the side of the building. I think the shadows from the tree distract my eye from the texture of the side of the building.

You do have a slight halo above the building and some streaks in the sky. I also think it looks overcooked. It doesn't really look like true HDR to me because it looks like there is still a slight dynamic range issue. I would go back and take shots at -2, 0 and +2 and run those images through Photomatix.

For a more realistic look, I would recommend learning how to blend exposures using a layer mask.

[Gulf Coast Girl]

Originally Posted by Tito87

I think the composition is fine. The PP, at least to me, looks overdone.

+1
10 char yadda yadda yadda

[BigFuzzy]

To me, the sign of HDR of going wrong is always "haloing" which you very clearly have, especially along the division between the roof and skynd the areas where there's a mix of sky/leaves.
Having said that, if you were going for surreal, you succeeded. If you were going for simply boosting the dynamic range (or simply balancing out exposure) I think it's waaay over done.

But answering your actual question about composition:
There's nothing wrong with it, however it's also very standard centered which to me is pretty boring. It even appears that you took the image standing there with the camera at eye level which, for me, doesn't help because that's exactly how I'd see it if I were standing there. Play with the perspective. Get lower, get higher (not really possible here I know), do anything to make it look something other than a "I'm standing here with my camera held to my face" type of photo which this feels like.

I think having more space to the right would have helped as it feels a bit of a tight crop to me.

The question I have for you (and one we should all always ask ourselves) is, did you do HDR to try to "save" or spice this image up, or did you have HDR in mind already. If it's the first, then you have to ask yourself what you were doing that the image needed saving and work on that (like through creative composition) before hitting the shutter. Be critical with yourself. Ask what is it about this image that drew you then ask how you can make it interesting and different from any other person who'd be standing where you are standing looking at the scene... THEN take the image.

I hope this encourages you even though I know I've come across a bit harshly?

[digirebelva]

On my screen it looks flat...could use a curves adjustment

[flytyer57]

Thanks for all the feedback.

All the pictures I took there were handheld. I am planning on going back to this town in the near future with my tripod to do some real HDR. I think they are calling for clouds next week.

As for the surreal effect, I do like the style.

I will keep all of your comments in mind when I go back and hopefully have some great pics to show here.