Barn on Mormon Row: 1. Image 1 is the normal exposure of the three set HDR. I did the normal PS edits and used some NIK filters. Its cropped from the original. 2. Image 2 is the HDR...

ImageCreator Loc: Northern California

1. Image 1 is the normal exposure of the three set HDR. I did the normal PS edits and used some NIK filters. Its cropped from the original.
2. Image 2 is the HDR processed in Photomatix and then I tried to use the same edits as I did in Image 1, using PS and NIK filters. It is uncropped.

Do you have a favorite and why?

PS and NIK editing--non HDR image

(Download)

HDR image with PS and NIK editing

(Download)

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Nice. I like the first version a bit better. Better tonal texture to the word and surrounding areas.
--Bob

ImageCreator wrote:

1. Image 1 is the normal exposure of the three set HDR. I did the normal PS edits and used some NIK filters. Its cropped from the original.
2. Image 2 is the HDR processed in Photomatix and then I tried to use the same edits as I did in Image 1, using PS and NIK filters. It is uncropped.

Do you have a favorite and why?

pixbyjnjphotos Loc: Apache Junction,AZ

ImageCreator wrote:

1. Image 1 is the normal exposure of the three set HDR. I did the normal PS edits and used some NIK filters. Its cropped from the original.
2. Image 2 is the HDR processed in Photomatix and then I tried to use the same edits as I did in Image 1, using PS and NIK filters. It is uncropped.

Do you have a favorite and why?

Great photo. I like the first one the best. Just looks more natural and the colors and details are brought out more. Have a GREAT DAY!

10MPlayer Loc: California

I agree with the crowd on this one. #1 is best because the colors of the woods in the foreground are more natural. I think I'd ease up on the sky a bit. It just looks too HDR'y to me.

ImageCreator Loc: Northern California

10MPlayer wrote:

I agree with the crowd on this one. #1 is best because the colors of the woods in the foreground are more natural. I think I'd ease up on the sky a bit. It just looks too HDR'y to me.

In reality the sky on the day of this image capture was this dramtic or more so. It was thunder and snow showers throughout the day. No enhancement to the sky was needed. Thanks for your comments.

J-SPEIGHT Loc: Akron, Ohio

ImageCreator wrote:

1. Image 1 is the normal exposure of the three set HDR. I did the normal PS edits and used some NIK filters. Its cropped from the original.
2. Image 2 is the HDR processed in Photomatix and then I tried to use the same edits as I did in Image 1, using PS and NIK filters. It is uncropped.

Do you have a favorite and why?

Both are nice. Like the first one better.

Wanderer2 Loc: Colorado Rocky Mountains

I agree and prefer the rich tones, and more detail, of the first. I found this very interesting in that, at least to my eye, HDR didn't improve the image but had a negative effect. Thanks for posting it.

Wickspics Loc: Detroits Northwest Side. Cody High School.

I like the first one also. When I get here to make photos it it always cloudy. Once I caught it sunny but peaks less than clear. Great spot and I like yours photos.

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

The longer I look, the more I like the second one because it has an aged feel to it, just like the barn itself, if that makes any sense. I initially chose the first one, but the second one began to grow on me because something about it seems not quite natural.

philo Loc: philo, ca

#1 looks more hdr then #2

jack schade Loc: La Pine Oregon

Very nice image. I like the first one a bit better. It has a warmer feel to it.

Jack

Whuff Loc: Marshalltown, Iowa

The HDR processing has rendered the 2nd image flat. It needs some tonal contrast added. For that reason I prefer the 1st photo.

Walt

ImageCreator Loc: Northern California

Whuff wrote:

The HDR processing has rendered the 2nd image flat. It needs some tonal contrast added. For that reason I prefer the 1st photo.

Walt

Here is the second image edited a second time by using some NIK filters. Results are very similar to the first image. May even be better than the first image.

(Download)

philo Loc: philo, ca

goods great. the wood fence is right on

BBBruce77 Loc: Eureka, Montana

I would comment on the image being cropped or uncropped as I prefer the uncropped version. The reason being the path on the left side of image, the fence rails and the logs of the barn wall all lead the eye back to the building behind the barn and then carry you into the sky and back around. Making for a very interesting composition.