1st HDR - Help!

[delucr]

I took a few AEB shots of the sunrise this morning. I've been playing with QTPFSGUI and Picternaut and I think I like the original better. I can get the foreground to be better exposed and balanced with the background but I just can't get the contrast and colors of the original. I have a +2,0,-2 bracket and a +1,0,-1 bracket. The HDR image below is the +2,0,-2. Any advice you could give would greatly be appreciated. I'll post the three orginals if anyone wants a go at it.
(Sorry for the different resolution images)

Original:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3494/4032884929_fa02936d34_b.jpg

HDR:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2472/4032885505_940ca497b2_o.jpg

[82NoMe]

I might have pushed it a little bit. I might want to lighten it up a little.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2698/4033736694_3e149df648_o.jpg

[82NoMe]

I used Photomatix from 3 RAW files sent to me from delucr.

[delucr]

I love it! Much better than the results I was getting. I will have to try Photomatix. What settings did you use?

[joooowan]

I love it! Much better than the results I was getting. I will have to try Photomatix. What settings did you use?

just play with the sliders.

[Addicted2EOS]

For what it is worth I like the original better than your first HDR.
The second one is nice.

[delucr]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure I was doing something wrong. I'm going to try the free trial of Photomatix and see how I do.

[Kevin]

I like the first one also, it looks more natural and there is enough detail in the FG to contribute to the composition.

[cb1]

your last pic looks good.I also use photomatix 3.0, try this link, this where i learned most things..
http://www.stuckincustoms.com/hdr-tutorial/

try to mess with noiseware also to reduce noise
gl

[msclman99]

i like the first one better also!