Reno Air Races F-7F Tigercat HDR - help me choose

Hello all. I looked back through my photos and took one, 3 shot, HDR pic and gave it three different treatments. I was hoping that everyone here might be able to C&C so that I can continue to build my photography skills.

A big thanks to Rod Lewis for providing his Tigercat, which is in immaculate condition, and a big thanks to the sunset for being some of the best lighting I've ever worked with

Here they are

1. A little more HDR-ish without getting ridiculous with the treatment

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/wafp/6163673223​/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/wafp/6164208524​/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/wafp/6163634939​/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/wafp/6163679617​/

I'm a devout worshiper of polished aluminum in black & white...

Only Nit: Your shadows are just a wee bit too dense (IMO) but that may be a My Monitor / Your Monitor thang.

(You probably already see them but you've got some major dustbunny cleanup that needs done due to the contrast in monochrome)

Thanks Jay, I thought I had cleaned up what I could. 5Dc and windy days at Reno = no bueno with the sensor. I'll go clean it up. hahaha

I like #1 personally but would love to have any of them ..

I would buy any of these if i saw them in print

The B&W is © Me...

I like number 2; it kind of looks like a very detailed illustration.

These are good looking HDRs! Technically #1 shows more detail, but I like the higher contrast in 2 & 3 better.

I saw the edit ok so here's a edit of #1 which I like best with some cloning out and USM 170 0.3 0

I actually like 3 the best, except the crop is too wide.

1, the highlights and mid-tones are hazy

2, the shadows are too dark.

3 has great colors, doesn't have that funny shadow on the main gear door and isn't hazy.

horse51 wrote in post #13129900
I like #1 personally but would love to have any of them ..

Thanks for the feedback, and it can be arranged

Doc Fluty wrote in post #13129916
I would buy any of these if i saw them in print

Thank you for such a great compliment! And it could be arranged as well

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #13130140
The B&W is © Me...

HAHAHA! I am but the student

bcd01 wrote in post #13130175
I like number 2; it kind of looks like a very detailed illustration.

Thank you, that was the effect I was aiming for

PhotosGuy wrote in post #13130254
These are good looking HDRs! Technically #1 shows more detail, but I like the higher contrast in 2 & 3 better.

Thanks. I was hoping for that distinction, #1 was the one where I wanted more detail, while the other two were more of a saturated/high contrast take on the original HDR

Stargazerfrank wrote in post #13130297
I saw the edit ok so here's a edit of #1 which I like best with some cloning out and USM 170 0.3 0

Really nice edit. All my work was done in LR3 with Photomatix as the HDR software. Did you edit the image in Photoshop?

Nmcgrew wrote in post #13130757
I actually like 3 the best, except the crop is too wide.

1, the highlights and mid-tones are hazy

2, the shadows are too dark.

3 has great colors, doesn't have that funny shadow on the main gear door and isn't hazy.

I agree with #1, not sure how to change that though. I was going for a more "moody" sky and shadow effect in #2, thus the darker shadows.


Thank you everyone for the compliments as well as the C&C

WaFp wrote in post #13131002
HAHAHA! I am but the student

I'm just flattered that someone thinks I have a style...

Hey bud. My son and I both agree the b&w version are sick!

I like number 2 the best.

Jon.

A super looking plane and great light. I really hope you don't mind but I thought I'd see if I could bring out a little more detail. I also opened up the underside of the wing and lightened the nose art a bit.

The detail was enhanced using Nik color effex 'tonal contrast'.

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