skylane5sp Loc: Puyallup, WA

This is what I normally use HDR for. This was a crappy wet typical Puget Sound Gray winter day. Three shots, 0 +-2, Photomatix Pro, Real Estate Fusion. I make a few bucks on the side doing this for a couple of friends that are Realtors. Usually about twenty or so final pics per property.

Original

(Download)

HDR

(Download)

gmcase Loc: Galt's Gulch

I grew up in Federal Way and always did "The Puyallup" every year faithfully as I kid. I didn't realize how dreary the weather was until I began to travel. I now live in the desert, basically the opposite climate of Western Washington. I enjoy visiting your neck of the woods but could never live there full time. I was up there a few weeks ago and the weather was actually nice. I hit it lucky - in between rainy systems.

Nice HDR treatment by the way. :thumbup:

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

Thank you skylane. Nice use of HDR here. You have friends who are Real Estate Agents. Check your pockets when they leave is my advice lol
What we call Estate Agents in the UK now use in camera HDR routinely.
I remember selling a house over 20 yearss ago and paid for a special photo shoot to combine interior shots with shots through the windows. Technology moves on huh.
Keep your HDR shots coming my man The forum needs you.

joe west Loc: Taylor, Michigan

you nailed that second photo...

kavner58 Loc: Portland, Oregon

Very good realistic, not overcooked, HDR. :thumbup:

- AK

mrjcall Loc: Woodfin, NC

Nicely composed, sharp image. However, you can make the first photo look identical to your HDR second image by simple Lightroom/PS manipulation without the hassle of multiple exposure stacking in Photomatix. I have almost stopped using Photomatix after learning this HDR technique on individual images. 8-)

I should add that there are definite uses for Photomatix in impossibly high dynamic range situations, but for normal photos like your first one, the HDR look without Photomatix is a piece of cake.

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

The difference you already stated "HDR look". Take note here of the garden area and the detail in the far trees and sky. In the zero image the sky is blown,if you simply play with that in pp the sky will always be blown. No camera sensor can cope with a bright sky and te shaded ceiling for instance
I do a lot of HDR as can be seen from the number of images I post here.
I can produce single image HDR looking stuff in my sleep almost and it will fool 90% of the viewers but its not what HDR is about. Bracketing is the only way to show full detail in light and dark areas.
For some images I just merge bracketed shots without tone mapping but would never call it HDR because its not.

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-284322-1.html#4795848

Example of bracketing. Every bit of detail is there without the over intense colors that tone mapping can introduce.
Where I will agree with you is that HDR can be used for situations whee it is not actually needed. This Real Estate shot is NOT one of those however