HDR or not HDR, this is the question...

[Ahh!]

I am not sure I want what HDR looks like or, I just suck at it right now...posting 2 images, and the second one is blurry because it was hand held is the HDR (CS3). The first one was hand held too btw, just one image, taken thru Bibble Pro. Part of it also seems to be that I am not bracketing wide enough, only 2 stops either way...

[d2creative]

Out of these two i like the first better.
You might try taking the high-res version of #2 and playing with the curves to get some of the contrast back.

[coachE]

I cannot get hand held HDR shots. The chance of having 3 shots line up are impossible for me. I'd say you have to use a tripod to get it to work.

[Stargazer77517]

I agree with Dennis, The first seems to have more color and contrast. The second seems washed out to me.

[snmichaels]

Prefer the 1st too.

[CaptainTom]

Peter
There are a couple of different approaches to this type of image.
You're exploring the HDR approach. I've found that it can be very effective given the right conditions.
Another avenue would be to make a bunch of seperate exposures for each element in the photo. Then, in PS you put each piece of the puzzle together and get one grand image. This is how the high powered ad agencies get those "perfectly" exposed and lighted photos.
Another way is to use the dynamic range that is present within the photo you have. Open up the shadows where they are blocked up and suppress the highlights where needed. Most of us just go with the image that PS puts out, and maybe we tweek a curve or two. Try the shadow/highlight feature with layers and see what you come up with.
Here is a one time 10 second attempt to open it up. With more work it could become a good image.