Oil field #2

Two different processes both with Photomatix , Cs5 , Topaz Adjust and DeNoise . One has been tonemapped and the other is fused . I've tried my best to keep down Haloing but trying to bring out the best detail without overprocessing . Please tell me if these are overprocessed , if you see any Haloing , and what your honest opinion is on either or both images ? Trying to stay away from the grunge look . To me the Fused looks more clearer but the Tonemapped seems to have more detail but looks like a film over the whole image . What's your thoughts please ?

Hi Ron,

I think that to gauge the effectiveness of processing depends on knowing what the person was trying to achieve - a result that represents the actual scene that you saw (or very close to it), or something more artistic? Of course sometimes we just try different things to see what the result is. I think it is preferable to start with a goal in mind (not saying you didn't) then everything becomes easier - from taking the shot through to final processing; because you have a plan to guide you all the way through.

Anyway, I prefer the second shot and think it is probably closer to the look of the actual scene at the time.

Assuming that you are seeking feedback on the image as a photograph and not just a processing exercise, then I find the composition a little distracting with the lean of the shed and the branches at the top overlapping the top of the structure. I think if your goal was showing the effectiveness of the HDR process then a shot looking into the interior, with a view out the window would achieve that better, notwithstanding what looks to be a flyscreen covering the entrance. To my eye a few other things detract from the shot - the shadows of the branches over the top of the corrugated iron/green door and the the plaque on the pole.

The lighting is very harsh which makes your job a lot harder. I would like to see some of your shots taken in softer light i.e. dawn/dusk.

Cheers,
Steve.

Hi LooserCanon , thanks for your reply and input . Actually i want the grunge look slightly but where you can tell it's still a photograph . This particular image has puzzled me since i took it . I've tried editing several times and still not getting what i want . The screen look at the front door is actually a plate window (not sure if glass or plexi-glass) . I wanted to keep all the detail on the glass like it is in the first image and yet at the same time still be able to see the gas heater inside with good detail . I know i posted this image before and it was suggested to do a tight crop but that left nothing to the out side to be seen and kinda just made it boring . I could do some cropping at top and remove the tree but i want to have somewhat a blue sky BG . Personally i like the first better but there is a haze look to it i don't like that makes it hard for me to look at and see good detail . And your right about the light being harsh . it was close to noon , sun high up and clear sky from horizon to horizon . The front door actually is looking SSW so i have a factor of when and how the sun will shine and reflect from either side or straight up . Perhaps this would be a better winter scene with some snow on the ground and a partly cloudy day ?? But then i wonder if i should just scatch this image and go on to another ?

Yep, I think learn whatever lessons you can from it, based on your own assessment and any input that particularly resonated with you from posters here, and then leave it and move on.

I went out the other night and took a bunch of photos at a marina and thought I'd have something nice, but after an hour or so of trying things in Lightroom I couldn't make one good image from the lot. Still trying to work out where I went wrong. So yes, sometimes they work and sometimes they don't. I guess over time the ratio slowly improves. Hopefully.