HDR from 1 photo

[Midwest Sunset]

Ok, so I am trying my dangedest to get an HDR out of 1 photo & I don't feel like I'm having much success. Can someone please tell me how I can make this shot better or if it simply isn't right for HDR. I have posted the before & after for comparison.

Before

Camera: Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi
Exposure: 0.017 sec (1/60)
Aperture: f/8
Focal Length: 55 mm
ISO Speed: 200
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Flash did not fire


After


Thank you so much for any help you can give!

I started with the before pic & made 3 copies (1 blown out & 1 darker & 1 at proper exposure). I then used them to merge into an HDR, then converted to an 8-bit file. From here I was suppose to make adjustments to taste & "play" with it & this is what I've come up with

[takethislife5150]

It's good! I love this crop. I'd say with some tweaking of levels, it would be perfect

[wheelhot]

I started with the before pic & made 3 copies (1 blown out & 1 darker & 1 at proper exposure). I then used them to merge into an HDR, then converted to an 8-bit file. From here I was suppose to make adjustments to taste & "play" with it & this is what I've come up with

Yup, thats the technique to get HDR shot from a single picture, most people would prefer 3 separate pictures for HDR but if its a moving subject then it is perfectly acceptable.

Anyway good cropping and I think if you could get the train to be more shiny then it will be pretty good, maybe you should try B&W from the same picture. Could give interesting result

[Murtasma]

I don't really think using HDR and tone mapping here really enhanced the photograph that wouldn't have been otherwise possible with a single correct exposer. At least on my monitor it looks like the original image should have been over exposed by about 1 stop from what you originally exposed for. The snow on the ground should be white but the original it's represented as gray.

I think this is where you ran into the problem of lack of contrast and color. A re-shoot would be the best solution to the problem if you had a chance. However I doubt you have the opportunity to do this. A simple curve adjustment would have been sufficient with a saturation adjustment as well. The image is still very save able. I like the crop you choose but, I think you could have had more flexibility had you kept the object in the foreground (what appears to be a rear view mirror) out of the frame in the original composition.

I think you did a nice job making the image pop but but, using tone mapping was probably more post processing work then was necessary to correct the image.

Nice shot I look forward to seeing more of your work.