My first HDR... HELP!!!

[beachbum2277]

Here's my first attempt at HDR and using Photomatix. I have no clue how to use the software or if this shot even came out the way it should. Any suggestions and tips would be soooo helpful...!!!!

(click for larger) (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3046/2974647229_c9e421d8e8_b.jpg)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3046/2974647229_c9e421d8e8.jpg (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3046/2974647229_c9e421d8e8_b.jpg)

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[JC4]

Looks good to me.

No one really knows how to use PM, initially. Just start moving sliders around, see what changes, and try to find a look you like. A lot of times, I start with the defaults, and work from there. But, I still cant get some of the looks others here get, so lots more sliding :)

[canonloader]

That's a great shot. Did you start with 3 RAW's?

[beachbum2277]

No, I used the jpegs. Would it work better with the three raw files?

[canonloader]

People say it doesn't matter, but starting with a 32 bit RAW has to be better than an 8 bit jpg. :)

Mostly, I wondered if you used more than one or just a single file to create this. It came out very nice. :)

[JC4]

No, I used the jpegs. Would it work better with the three raw files?

A little, but I don't think too much. You say used jpegs? 3 bracketed?
I've found 5 helps with noise. Same is true if you use RAWs.
Even if you use 1-3 RAWs, generating 5+ jpgs at different EC's, then run through PM yields less noise.

[Lazuka]

Looks great

[beachbum2277]

Thanks for the comments. I tried redoing it with the three raw files and the same settings as before...couldn't see much of a change. I'm still not sure if I like the final result. I don't what I'm doing differently than some of the others who have posted on here. I've seen much better images than mine...

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[canonloader]

I don't know, I'd be happy with it. Nothing like that to shoot between here and Chicago. :)