First HDR :)

[amikhchi]

This is my first attempt at HDR, it's a view from my backyard on a rainy day

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3530/3274049440_04989c6408_b.jpg

[Tiger_993]

Wow, you've got a nice view from your backyard. I think this is a nice first attempt - looks realistic and not super-processed. the clouds look really good - a lot of definition. I would look to correct the slight tilt in the horizon, and then increase exposure and boost contrast and maybe saturation just a bit because the overall image is a little dark. You should still be able to maintain the realistic appearance while making some tweaks.

[amikhchi]

i don't know how to properly adjust the horizon, the tripod i was using was crap, i suppose i can just rotate it using free transform in PS? or is there an easier/better way?
I don't know much about what contrast/saturation it should be to look good because i'm not really a *pro* photographer. When i look at some of the before/after pictures some of the ppl on POTN post, i can barely tell the difference when they do all these *minor tweaks*

but as for the dark look, i kinda was going for that, being that it was all gloomy and stuff, i would have liked for the bushes/trees to be a little less green, because the way they look now, they are full of life, and that kills the *dark-look* i was going for is there any way to do that?

[Tiger_993]

There should be a way to do that. You don't have the "image editing ok" feature turned on - do you mind if I play with this image a little bit?

[amikhchi]

oh yah go for it, didn't realize i didn't have that set on

[LostShootingStar]

Very cool, the clouds look neat http://m08o1124znfu179.imageshacknow.info/img/2465/o09a0208gstn/POTNsmile.gif

[dlai531]

I like! What software did you use for this?

[Tiger_993]

Here's what I was thinking with brightening it up:
http://photos.bryanflanagan.com/potn/edit-1.jpg

In the one below, I made the shrubs less green by lowering the luminance and saturation. This would be for your "dark" look.
http://photos.bryanflanagan.com/potn/edit-2.jpg

I also corrected just a little bit for the horizon. Bottom line is that these are only my interpretations! For your first HDR you did a great job. And BTW...I am not a pro either, not by a long stretch. :D

[amikhchi]

thanks for the advice, i personally liked the *dark* look to it, so i don't really like the brightened up edit, but i do like the look of the *less-green* one you did, i'm going to try tweaking the settings later today when i'm at home...

btw, using photomatix

[zapman]

you have an awsome backyard! your hdr looks great!

[amikhchi]

thanks, yeah love the view from the backyard... if only my dad would finish building that gazebo down there (you can see the half-assed roof on it lol) but just wait until spring/summer rolls around, i'll try and get some decent sunset/rise pictures... the sky lights up nearly every color but green