actually there are only a minority of purists on here. Just because it is different does not make it art, otherwise I could post all my out of focus poorly lighted garbage and claim it's the new european artisitic freedom style. a pig with lipstick is still a pig. Having said that I like your subject matter and composition very much, the choice of black and white I approve of. But with b/w you should have tonal contrast, these shots all blend in to a mid tone gray blur. I am not anti HDR, in fact i love over the top HDR on man made objects, cars, buildings, trains etc. I just feel it doesn't work on nature shots. I do like the guide and oregon coast because they are less bright and you can see the sky and clouds in the guide. The others are too bright for me. Color and over the top hdr, I would probable like more. I love vibrant colors. b/w and HDR just don't mix well, in my opinion. Of course i don't think black and white and landscapes go well together, (yes I have heard of ansel adams, and am one of the few that goes big woop. ) natures strength is the color and beauty. the noise doesn't bother me i like grain in b/w, i just don't like the lack of contrast. never been a fan of high or low key either.