Is this OK for HDR?

[ChrisTX]

3 shots. I did add a magenta filter.

[prncfarquad]

That is pretty! The only thing that I see that I don't like is the gradient lines of the sky being so defined. I like the color shifts in the sky to be a bit more smooth. Not sure if that is a result of converting for the web or the HDR processing.

[Stargazer77517]

Chris, I agree with Patrick. I have found with this type of shot, (a bright sun on the horizon) you almost need some sort of grad ND Filter to help with the brightness.
I use a Singh Ray 2 or 3 stop reverse grad 4x6 with a Lee holder even if I am doing HDR captures. Helps to control the light and keeps the color saturation thru out. The colors you did capture are beautiful.

Really like the water and how you captured it, nice colors thru out, focus is good. Some forground intrest would help the overall composition.

A photo is really several layers, you have a forground, middle and background and how you capture these elements contributes to the overall composition.
You have a good start. Keep at it.

[jeffkohn]

Color/tone look pretty good for HDR although I agree about the banding around the sun. Also the image looks over-sharpened (waves are too "crunchy") - not sure if that's from a sharpening step or an HDR setting, but I would dial it back a bit if possible.

[ChrisTX]

Originally Posted by jeffkohn

Color/tone look pretty good for HDR although I agree about the banding around the sun. Also the image looks over-sharpened (waves are too "crunchy") - not sure if that's from a sharpening step or an HDR setting, but I would dial it back a bit if possible.

It looks like the HDR merge made them that way. Here is the underexposed shot from that group...Minus the 'banding'. I'm not happy with the HDR photo, but I don't normally do HDR. I'm trying to figure out how to get it to look right.

Honestly, this one looks better than my HDR attempt.

[Stargazer77517]

Are you using Photomatrix? Here is a very good tutorial. Its mainly directed towards Photomatrix but I think its good for use with any.

Photomatix Tutorial Before The Coffee

[ChrisTX]

Photoshop CS5. Probably not the best software for HDR.

[Stifled_1]

My first response was Wow! I like it over the non-HDR shot. Keep working at it, you are on the right track.