My First HDR: Sunset in the Grand Canyon

[TexKen]

Took my first trip to the Grand Canyon recently and actually did a rim-to-rim hike. Fantastic experience! This pic was a sunset pic taken from Plateau Point - a perfect point about 5.5 miles down from the South Rim and overlooking the Colorado River. The lighting seemed like a good change to try HDR so I shoot 8 different exposures and combined them in Photoshop CS5. I've never tried it before and yes, like many HDR images, it tends to look a little over processed, maybe I'll get better with practice

[Hikin' Mike]

I like the composition, but way over-done for my tastes.

[BrassPremier]

great image but i also think the hdr is a bit much. personally, i only like hdr if i can't tell there was any hdr processing...

[TexKen]

Originally Posted by BrassPremier

great image but i also think the hdr is a bit much. personally, i only like hdr if i can't tell there was any hdr processing...

In my admittedly limited experience there is not such thing as an HDR image that you can't tell is HDR. That said, yep this is probably overdone a bit. It was my first attempt at messing with all the settings.

[auddii]

I don't know much about HDR, but why is there a huge black blotch in the middle of the water?

[TexKen]

Originally Posted by auddii

I don't know much about HDR, but why is there a huge black blotch in the middle of the water?

There were rapids in two places with a calm section in the middle so the rapids look much brighter.

[auddii]

Originally Posted by TexKen

There were rapids in two places with a calm section in the middle so the rapids look much brighter.

Ah, that makes sense.

[Angelo]

Originally Posted by TexKen

In my admittedly limited experience there is not such thing as an HDR image that you can't tell is HDR. That said, yep this is probably overdone a bit. It was my first attempt at messing with all the settings.

Hi Ken, as you become more familiar with HDR you will see that it can be used to get the quality you want without making it look HDR.
It's a great tool.
Did you do anything else to it after running it through the HDR software?

[rab3rd]

Originally Posted by TexKen

In my admittedly limited experience there is not such thing as an HDR image that you can't tell is HDR. That said, yep this is probably overdone a bit. It was my first attempt at messing with all the settings.

I respectfully beg to differ. I have seen many HDR shots that you would be hard pressed to tell they were HDR. In fact this link has a few that fit that description.

35 Fantastic HDR Pictures - Smashing Magazine

[Hikin' Mike]

Originally Posted by rab3rd

I respectfully beg to differ. I have seen many HDR shots that you would be hard pressed to tell they were HDR. In fact this link has a few that fit that description.

35 Fantastic HDR Pictures - Smashing Magazine

I agree. Looking at the link though, a lot of those examples are still overdone for my tastes.

I prefer hand-blending my "HDR" shots using Layer Masks.

[auddii]

I'd agree with Mike, a lot of the shots in the link Rob posted scream HDR, although a few are really well done. The one Mike linked to I never would have guessed it was HDR.

[rab3rd]

that is why I said SOME of the shots at the link were examples of good HDR's. I like the ones that are pushed too, but the OPs is pushed a little beyond he point of "wow that looks kinda cool".

And yes the one in Mikes link is fantastic, however there is no tone mapping done, I assume, since its just painting layers of serveral exposures together. The tone mapping look is what most people associate with HDR, the cartoonish patelish look.

[Hikin' Mike]

Originally Posted by rab3rd

that is why I said SOME of the shots at the link were examples of good HDR's. I like the ones that are pushed too, but the OPs is pushed a little beyond he point of "wow that looks kinda cool".

And yes the one in Mikes link is fantastic, however there is no tone mapping done, I assume, since its just painting layers of serveral exposures together. The tone mapping look is what most people associate with HDR, the cartoonish patelish look.

Correct. No tone mapping involved.

[TexKen]

Great feedback everyone - thanks!

[Simplycandid]

I think it needs to be level ( the rock line in the center) I dig the rays of the sun :)