Same location, different PP

I took a series of shots at a beach, different exposures, in order to do some HDR

The first one was done with Photomatix 5, with some tweaking in Photoshop CS5


The second one was done exclusively in PS (CC) using luminosity masks (learning to do that to its potential)


Love to get feedback as to which you prefer and also what can be done to improve either shot. Want to raise my landscapes to a new level

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I prefer the detail in the clouds/sun, water, and shoreline on the second one, but prefer the color in the cliff on the first one.

I prefer the sand water in the second version, but you went overboard on the cliff and you lost the sun flare in the sky.
Would suggest that you make selections of the three segments and PP all three differently.

The first one with about 1/4 of what you did to the wave.

IMO the wave in the 1st does need more visual weight, but I don't think you have to do that much to it.

A bit of darkening of the clouds in the 1st would be fine, but not necessary IMO. I would definitely do it using a luminosity mask though and just darken the already darker parts.

I prefer the first. The halo around the cliff is more noticeable in the second.