HDR/BW.. which?

Just curious if you like the HDR version, or the bw conversion from the HDR? This was done with 1 raw file, 4 exposure levels.. some PS work to get the soft focus look..

Byte size: ZERO | Content warning: NOT AN IMAGE

Byte size: ZERO | Content warning: NOT AN IMAGE

Hmm, I like them both very much. They both have a totally different feel to them. Very nice work.

Nice work, but a too soft for my taste...

Nice work, but the first one doesn't look like HDR to me. It looks more like a softened and desaturated image. Doing HDR's with only 1 image doesn't make it look like a true HDR to me.

But I like the color and image.

Not so keen on HDR and looking at you edits you can clearly see the halos where you've used the brush tool....???

cgratti wrote in post #2503859
Nice work, but the first one doesn't look like HDR to me. It looks more like a softened and desaturated image.

Mannytkd wrote in post #2504181
Not so keen on HDR and looking at you edits you can clearly see the halos where you've used the brush tool....???

Thanks! That's actually what I was trying to do, was make the HDR not look HDR.. Here's the original HDR

I didn't use a brush tool.. maybe the softening, layering and blurring created those halos?

Byte size: ZERO | Content warning: NOT AN IMAGE

BrandonSi wrote in post #2500913
Just curious if you like the HDR version, or the bw conversion from the HDR? This was done with 1 raw file, 4 exposure levels.. some PS work to get the soft focus look..

the colour one doesnt quite do it for me but the B+W is interesting

I'm one of those who like this look. I like both the color and B&W versions. I think you've made an image that would normally be tossed out a keeper. Doesn't really look soft to me. There is allot of detail there. Looks like you duplicated the layer and changed it to softlight (or something like that) and then blurred that layer. It's like it blurs the color but the details are sharp which I like. Like your seeing the image in a more dream like state.

Now you just need to create some more ominous looking clouds in the background to complete the transformation.

toddb wrote in post #2504959
I'm one of those who like this look. I like both the color and B&W versions. I think you've made an image that would normally be tossed out a keeper. Doesn't really look soft to me. There is allot of detail there. Looks like you duplicated the layer and changed it to softlight (or something like that) and then blurred that layer. It's like it blurs the color but the details are sharp which I like. Like your seeing the image in a more dream like state.

Now you just need to create some more ominous looking clouds in the background to complete the transformation.

Thanks! I agree the sky is the weak link here.. It was a throw-away, I decided to play around with Photomatix with it and it just turned out appealing.. I think I'll start doing that more.

HDR version.

I like the color one. It's got nice soft colors and the b/w one is just lacking all that detail and warmth.

I like both alot. I personally think the "softness" adds to the edginess and drama of the story which the two pictures are both telling. Interestingly, I think both pictures may tell a slightly different story with the color vs. B&W. In my opinion then it is a both-and decision. Good job.

The color version reminds me of the soft glow around the buildings in a Thomas Kincaid painting.

I like the B/W the best.

B&W version rocks.