First Attempt at HDR - Suggestions?

[lolcat07]

First attempt. New to the hobby (in general) wanted to try HDR.
Would love tips/pointers/etc.

Thanks.

[Ripskin]

Looks good for a first run at it.

I would remove the semi out of focus block from the foreground, seems to detract from the overall image.

The roof line on the main building has some halo effect on it and that building seems a little out of focus.

Better than my first try :)

[tmcman]

Since you are new to photography it would help you to shoot lots of regular photography
to get an idea how one exposure works in all kinds of situations.
Then look for more challenging lighting situations where large parts of key features
would come out dense black or blown out white if you use only one exposure,
then you'll really see what hdr can do for you.
But lots of single exposure shooting experience is essential.

[sas8888]

As a tip for this shot I see that you shot it at F1.8. I think that a shot like this would benefit with an aperture closer to F 5.6 to 8. This would get more of the building in focus. With that wall in the front it is out of focus and where your eye wants to follow the wall to a point of interest there is nothing to see. Your processing of the hdr is pretty good for your first attempt. Keep trying different things and experimenting. I keep learning something new every time I come here and look at the different photos. Keep it up