First night time HDR

[rolltide88]

Here's my first attempt at a night time HDR I think it has kind of a creepy look to it, let me know if you have any suggestions for framing or otherwise, thanks!
oh and btw this is a picture of gorgas library at the University of Alabama



EXIF
Camera: Nikon D40x
Focal Length: 18mm
Aperature: f. 3.5
Exposure: ? bracketed

[windrider86]

Not sure where to go with this. For me, it doesnt look like an HDR image. Can you tell us how many images you used to create this?
I also might be inclined to get rid of that sidewalk thats in the very front. I like the other one as it leads you right up to tje building but the front one is just a distraction

[B..]

This doesn't look creepy at all to me. I've seen HDR that looks creepy. I like it, but it's just ... impossibly unreal!

And I like yours. It's subtly striking! It makes me think I was walking past this building, and suddenly they turned on their outside lights, and I said, "Oh, wow! What a neat building!"

I also would like to know how you did it, to compare it to how some other people do their impossibly unreal HDRs.

And I agree with getting rid of the frontmost sidewalk. It doesn't add anything and it's distracting.

[B..]

Originally Posted by B..

...And I agree with getting rid of the frontmost sidewalk. It doesn't add anything and it's distracting.

I retract that last comment. I just noticed that I like the 'Z' made by the front sidewalk, leading sidewalk, and horizontal building.

[rolltide88]

I used three images to compose this picture and compiled them in Photoshop CS3. I didn't want to go for the really cartoony looking HDR and instead went for a more realistic looking one. I don't remember the settings I used to tone map it though, someone told me that the way your image looks (cartoony, or more realistic) depends on how you tone map it after its merged. I also cropped the image, let me know what you think!

[Trader]

I think you did a good job with your last post. I am not a big fan of the cartoon like HDR stuff either. I would like to see some kind of detail in the top portion of your shot. Some indication of sky or clouds or something.

[anathoth]

Originally Posted by Trader

I think you did a good job with your last post. I am not a big fan of the cartoon like HDR stuff either. I would like to see some kind of detail in the top portion of your shot. Some indication of sky or clouds or something.

I agree on the top portion and the sidewalk seems to make sense.

As an aside, it is nice to see Gorgas! Sadly I didn't spend much time there or appreciate how beautiful it is. I DO remember how beautiful the school of art building is though.

Roll Tide!