So much to learn

[Greg_Nuspel]

I played with some HDR. First image is straight, second used detail enhancement, third use tone mapping. There are so many adjustment to make it will take a while to learn it all.

[Mad Aussie]

It does take practice but anything worthwhile usually does.

I find that the HDR softwares tend to degrade the image somewhat in terms of colour, white balance, sharpness so extra PP is needed when the software (Photomatix for instance) is finished. I find sometimes that I need to take the completed HDR image and then put it into PS and put one of my original shots layered under it and using mask started blending it through in spots ... especially to get water detail. It's certainly a process.

[Greg_Nuspel]

I really over did it just for fun

[Mad Aussie]

I don't think so. (You were hoping someone might say that weren't you? ;) )

I'd say you are learning. Now take that image and put one with whiter water behind it and blend it through just a little bit and see what happens. Maybe adjust the colour balance a little too ... a bit more blue and red perhaps?

Once I ahd all that the way I wanted I'd flatten it to one layer again and then duplicate that layer. Then I'd sharpen the back layer and add a mask to the top layer and paint in the rock faces to bring the sharpness through. :)

[Greg_Nuspel]

OK I may not have got it right yet but here is what my interpretation of MA's suggestion is.

[Dwayne Oakes]

Hi Greg,

HDR is cool and a new technique but don't rule out (old school) Dodge
and Burn. It was very powerful back then and is still today. Just google
dodge and burn there is lots of tutorials on it. Not that hard to learn just
a little practice.

PS I hope you don't mind me tweaking your photo but this gives you an
idea of the results from this method.

Take care,

Dwayne Oakes

before
http://dwayneoakes.zenfolio.com/img/v1/p343275729-3.jpg

after
http://dwayneoakes.zenfolio.com/img/v8/p605452487-3.jpg

[Greg_Nuspel]

I agree with you I was just trying the HDR method. I knew the original straight up had pretty well all the info needed for a good shot. My raw image even has more data. I just wanted to see how this stuff works and I can see there is much to be learned and many ways to interpret the image.

[Mad Aussie]

I think that last effort looks good there Greg. HDR is a bit of fun. It doesn't suit every scene or set of exposures you take I've found. I use a bit of dodge and burn also.

[JAS_Photo]

I like the last one you did as well, Greg. :)