Photoshop's "Merge to HDR" (1st attempt, mildly succcessful)

I am not very sure about the tilt, but there is a nice light control. Yes, sure this is much better than your "1st attempt". Beautiful! Best regards.

Hi Gunnar, actually both are my first attempts, just at slightly different things: this one at using Photoshop's "Merge to HDR" function, the other one at using Qtpfsgui.  The latter provides user with far greater number of controls, which I didn't have a clue how to use (and I still don't -- I stumbled on this gizmo only yesterday.)

The funny thing is that personally I prefer the non-HDR / non-DRI version ;)

As for the tilt, glad you've brought it up: I'll post a critique request on that matter explaining my reasons for this particular composition.

My reasons for this particular composition were very pragmatic atfirst...

• I only had a 50mm prime on me;
• and this was the only vantage point that offered the view of theboat sheds just below me as well as of the church on the hill above me;
• and the only way to capture both was to tilt the camera;
• and it filled the frame quite nicely, with the bottom edge alignedwith the diagonal perspective line of the row of sheds, and with thechurch balanced by the lamppost

...so then I figured this contortion could actually give aninteresting angle.

I realise it mostly boils down to taste, which is a personal thing,but I'd be very interested in your thoughts on this (?!)

Please view LARGE and feel free to compare with the non-HDR version(next picture <= left-hand arrow, or click on the link in my responseto Gunnar's feedback below :)

I don't usually like tilted images, but this does work for me.  The geometry of the small buildings in the foreground provides a base for the rest of the scene, which then establishes a angular discordance with the tilted ornate buildings in the background.  Nicely seen and the HDR is well performed.