llindstrand Loc: Seattle Metro

The HDR edit is well done. I agree that you should have removed the power lines and pole. I also would have leveled the building slightly. Also I am having a problem determining which is the subject of the image. I am drawn first to the junk pile in the foreground and then to the building and my eyes are then drawn back and forth. For what its worth, if possible, I would look at different views that would look at the building at different angles and include the complete silo. If you could stand off to the right, the broken down fence gives an excellent lead in to the building.
Swede

Chicopee Loc: NY State, USA

Nice review w/ helpful tips llindstrand!

llindstrand Loc: Seattle Metro

Per your request Michael, I am posting my idea for the image. I leveled the building and showed the silo at full height, removed the power lines. To me the junk in the foreground detracts from the original image. I also think there are some good photo possibilities taken at an angle. An image taken from the right end at about a 45 degree angle with a lead in of the broken down fence would be interesting.
Swede

(Download)

llindstrand Loc: Seattle Metro

Thank you for your comments!
Swede

Jakebrake Loc: Broomfield, Colorado

Thanks Jack. In the future I shall post the originals, as well as my finished product.

Jakebrake Loc: Broomfield, Colorado

Thanks and definitely agree on the 'room to grow'. I have been to the HDR forum and read/watched extensively. I think my next project will be better. Your constructive criticism is appreciated.

Jakebrake Loc: Broomfield, Colorado

Thanks Swede. I had thought of cropping the junk pile out but somehow I though it would add character to the old building. As for different angles, the property was posted with signs and a barbed wire fence so it somewhat limited my composition of the image. How I would have like to get different angles. I possibly could have shot the building from an off set angle, but from much further away and I didn't have my Big Sig with me. That being said, I take much more glass when I go out looking for something to shoot.

Jakebrake Loc: Broomfield, Colorado

Thank you Swede, you have done my image justice. Very nicely done. Without the distraction of the power lines and the full silo it really cleans up the image. I guess we will just have to agree, to disagree on the junk pile. I think it maintains the reflection of an old derelict farm that was abandoned. Now, back to the HDR forum for some more education!

Jakebrake Loc: Broomfield, Colorado

JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA

What are you talking about? He did a great job of HDR. In fact, it is the way I like it. I absolutely detest the over cooked HDR look. But when you do it right, the image is much richer and does not scream out at you that it is HDR.

update: I see now you where referring to the removal of power lines. Its still HDR.

Jakebrake Loc: Broomfield, Colorado

Thanks Jim for you positive comments. I does indeed make me want to pursue HDR much more. And I completely agree with you on those darn power lines. What aggravates me most is I didn't remove them prior to posting, and I had the software to do it!

rdfarr Loc: Floridian living in AL

The HDR is pretty dark on my monitor, and not much different than a slightly lightened Photomatix dark version. Don't think you've achieved your HDR goal quite yet.
Play around with the Photomatix settings and you may find a version that more appeals to you.
Other than HDR, I found the house too crowded into the frame, and I didn't' like the cut-off stack. Could you orient the photo vertically and get more stack?

Erdos2 Loc: Vancouver, WA

Hi, I'm also fairly new to HDR and have received helpful feedback here on my images. I think posting only to Photo Gallery would be a mistake. (unless all the feedback you want is something like "nice photo", "beautiful", etc.) You will learn far more and grow much quicker in your abilities here.

Any set of images can provide an excellent chance to learn about the capabilities and how to use them. While the another poster mentioned what is or isn't HDR, don't worry about it too much at this point. Often a middle or slightly underexposed image worked in your favorite photo editor can provide equal or better results, as long as there are no parts that are pegged to one end of the exposure histogram. This might be one of those images. (The whites are not blown, and the shadows still have details.)

Personally, I like the composition, even with the junk in the front. Besides the wires, I do wish the image didn't cutoff the top of the silo. Also I feel it looks a little bit dark for the clear sunny skies. But if that is how you remember it then don't change it.

Keep up the good work.

Jerry

Jakebrake Loc: Broomfield, Colorado

Thanks for the tips, as they are much appreciated. I didn't think to do a vertical shot, as at the time I was just figuring out bracketing and playing with it and the different types of exposures. Yep, got lots to learn for sure and on my next outing I will pay more attention to composition.

Jakebrake Loc: Broomfield, Colorado

Thanks so much Jerry for the advice, and kind compliments. In some of the pre-sets in Photomatix Pro I found to be not to my liking. Surreal and grunge topped the list, so I took a somewhat bland pre-set and worked from there. Have lots to learn, and I'm doing some practicing on a few other shots that I have bracketed. Now I am just trying to establish a work flow starting with Photoshop before I transfer them to my HDR program. I learned my lesson with the silo and power lines in my first attempt.