Fake HDR, what do you think?

Alright, so I changed the exposure of the raw files and then used photomatix to stack the images and then back to photoshop to edit.

Let me know what you think. Taken in Cuba 2 days ago.

Really didn't need an "HDR" treatment in my opinion...the camera could have easily handled the dynamic range of the scene. Anyway, as far as the processing goes, you've got quite a few halos going on around some of the edges, most notably around the man's (human) head. Interesting composition, though...

Fair enough. I shot it in black and white, color and I think this really made it look best of the three.

I do see what you're saying about keeping it simple without hdr though.

I also am now noticing the halo's. Mostly around the bottom left of the sculpture.

I would tone the hdr down. Keep it looking realistic. For me, hdr is done well if it doesnt look like hdr.

Of course there are scenes where it would suit but I dont think it does here.

Also alot of lines in the building behind the fellow.I agree, I bet the original tweaked with tonal contrast would have worked better,. I love the image, just not the editing.

I like the picture idea.... show me the original!

The HDR in this picture doesn't have enough "range" and you can tell it wasn't a multi-exposure shot. To be honest, take this into your image editing program, lay it over your original picture, and set it to maybe 30% opacity and see how you like it. Should make it subtle and you'll still get that mild HDR look to it and it will change the tones throughout.

Thats just my 2 cents!

The pose looks posed to me - bit too obvious. I like it mind you.
Actually, I would like to see the black and white....or try LF recommendation - layer yet and play with opacity. I do this ALL the time.
As far as the coloured version goes - I agree with the masses...but if you just wanted the effect, try Topaz Adjust or NIK Color Efex Pro 3.0 (Tonal Contrast)..layered.

Max Powers wrote in post #11720341
I also am now noticing the halo's. Mostly around the bottom left of the sculpture.

Probably 90 percent of the skill in image editing involves seeing what is right in front of you. My first glance at this
image, I saw a riot of halos that -- in my judgment -- ruin it. If you post the unedited version, you might get some editing
ideas that are better than the fake HDR treatment.

From the Nifty 50 thread, in reference to this post

Apart from the halos around the subjects in one and two, they're good shots. However, the first one seem sort of plain, since there is very little separation between subjects and background. The background itself had much detail - this doesn't help it's case. Also, the photo was taken standing up, making it like 80% of the rest of the photos of people out there. You've got an interesting concept of parallelism with your subjects, but the way the photo was taken makes it feel like a snapshot more than anything.

Three and four are good portraits, however, in number three, the background is much to bright for the slightly underexposed subject. The eye wanders to the plant above your subjects head. A fill flash and a different angle would have helped. Being a candid shot, I realize that it was probably not possible to do it otherwise. Four is a very good shot marred by one glaring mistake. Your focus is off. You don't want to bring attention to a pretty lady's hairline, you want to see her eyes. If you're shooting portraits, I don't recommend using an aperture as high as 1.8. The depth of field is much to shallow, to the point of if the eyes are not in the same plane, you will have one eye OOF. Try using F/2.8 - you will still have the nice bokeh while retaining focus on all the features of her face. Also, this lens shows it's true quality when you stop down to F/2.8 or lower. The sharpness up to that point is so-so, pretty much $100 dollar lens worth. However, once you stop it down, it rivals the 70-200mm F4L. Personally, I don't agree with the heavy white vignetting, but that is an artistic choice.

Thanks for all the great tips!

Here is the original:

Ok, and now I just put it through photoshop and topaz a little and came up with this.

I used a variety of curves adjustment layers, S/H filter, and Topaz Detail for this:

Max Powers wrote in post #11725800
Ok, and now I just put it through photoshop and topaz a little and came up with this.

It does definitely look better now.

Thanks to everyone for the help! If anyone wants to give the original a shot, by all means! I'd love to see someone elses perspective.

Yes Max I think the edit is better.
My perspective - I adjusted levels a bit & used Color Efex Tonal Contrast and also Topaz (for detail enhancement). I "erased" everything as it applied to the background wall/window. I also cropped out a bit of the top and sides. I tried a black and white but agree the colour is better.

I like spike's the best. The border may or may not be a artistic touch that you agree with, though.

Here is my quick take. I popped into light room, increased contrast, played with some color overlays to make the light a little softer (yellower light, and bluish/purplish shadows), added a light vignette to draw attention away from the edges. Then off To PS to add a bit of green and yellow overlay to the plants, and some blue to his shirt to help the colors pop. Might sound like a lot, but it only took about 2 minutes.

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Hahaha! I was at that site a few years ago... good to see that the model for the statue is still alive and kicking!