Road Grader at Sunset

[wcinro]

Processed this photo using Nik HDR Efex Pro - tonal mapping for a single image. I had some lens flare in the left horizon so I darkened up the spot to get rid of it (I don't know how else to do that). Does this look too over processed? Is it too dark and dreary? Comments are most welcome since I've not done HDR and just started using the HDR Efex Pro.

Taken with a Nikon D60
1/500 sec
f/8

Thanks for any input.

[Digital Colodion]

Just play around and do until you achieve the photograph you like. Just keep in mind that not all compositions fit with HDR if you're really want to get into HDR I'll gladly share a nice book I have , just keep doing it and enjoy it ! cheers

[Jay Elle Eff]

It all depends on what YOU like. Some people prefer a 'more real' looking HDR, others prefer the 'overdone' HDR (which isn't necessarily a bad thing). The effect on the clouds is really interesting. I'm wondering if maybe it is cropped a bit too tight??? Your horizon is sloping to the left, which may be the result of the hills, but I feel like the grader is going to fall off the page.
The HDR is actually very effective, it's quite a masculine photo.
TFS

[wcinro]

Thanks for your input. I actually do like the photo very much. I agree with you; it is cropped a bit too tight and the horizon does slope though it is the hills as you suspected. I really appreciate the honest critique. Again, thanks.

[Krusty79]

It doesn't look like true HDR to me. You know, when you shoot at something like -2,0 & +2 and run the jpgs through the software. You still have dark areas with little or no detail. On the other hand, it does look overprocessed in that you have a halo around the tractor and above the ridgelines.

Oh yeah, I would also recommend leveling the horizon.

[wcinro]

Thanks for the feedback. Appreciate it.

[happyaperture7]

I am by no means a professing expert on HDR (my camera doesn't even bracket), but the sudden wb change from the golden left of the photo to the blue right seems a little extreme, even for HDR...maybe a little evening out of that would help. Just my opinion, naturally. Like everyone else is saying, HDR is very subjective.