Horseshoe Bend (view large)

I shot this while on a trip to the Southwest USA. We got there at sunset,

which I found out was not the ideal time to be there (sunrise is supposed to

be better). Anyway, I knew I would not be back to this area as we had

tours with a guide planned for all the time we were in Page. I used

Photomatix to do an HDR rendition, which I usually hesitant to do, because

the tonal range was so extreme. Even using a reverse grad ND filter only

helped to a certain extent with the sky exposure. What are your thoughts

on this image? Is the processing horrible, or over the top? Let me know.

Paul, I've been there at sunrise (because a ranger said that's a great time) and at sunset (because most images that appeal to me were taken then) but I failed both times!  It certainly is a challenge for a single image.  I think the key to this place is getting lucky with great clouds and filtered sunlight.  While I'm not a fan of HDR, I think that you have done a very good job with evening out the lighting; but as you know, it sometimes leads to lost detail and graininess.  But all may be good on a 8x12 print.  Regards, Jeff   

I've long thought that the best HDR photo is one in which the use of HDR isn't immediately obvious (granted, some folks intend to produce unusual tones and saturation in their HDR work, so my comment doesn't apply to them).  This is, IMO, an example of quite good HDR work.  The scene looks much like I imagine it would look to my eyes if I were standing at this spot at this time of day and at this time of year (I've been here a couple of times).  It's only when I stop to think about the fact that the sun is in the frame, and I can see details in the clouds very close to the sun, and (most importantly) I can still see detail in the deep canyon directly below the sun, an area which is in significant shade.  Yet the colors still look good to my eye throughout the frame, including the sky which often seems so difficult to "get right."  This fits my definition of good use of HDR.  I also like the retention of the warm light on the foreground rocks as well as the significant DOF you've captured.  Shooting into the sun with a tremendous range of distances -- this is a very difficult shot, and I think the results are excellent.

Thanks for both of your comments, Jeff and Stephen.  I was not sure I was on the right track, and your comments reinforce that I am, at least with this one HDR image.  Jeff, I agree that there is some loss and gain, which you have stated, but like you also mentioned, it is a hard place to get the image right in a single capture, which I also tried and failed, hence the HDR.  I usually do not print over 16"x 20" so I may try getting this printed just to see how the details come out on paper.

Stephen, as always you provide me with the great details and insights from a balanced perspective, which, as you know well, I am very grateful for.  I really had to play with this image in terms of localized exposure adjustments just to make a final decision based on trial and error.  I think I processed this HDR about for or five times so at least I could compare them before I decided on this one.  Yet, I sometimes think that a little more contrast might be nice.  Maybe I will get a print made at the lab I use, and then reevaluate.  

Take care, the two of you, and I wish you both al the best in your photographic endeavours, as well as life in general.

Paul

Paul I think you have done a very good job on this shot. As you say it isn't one of those places you were able to go back again and again waiting for the perfect time, sky etc, but this is a really good travel shot. The composition is perfect and I would not on first view assume it was an HDR shot as it looks so natural. I like the sky and and the way it leads to a softening of the distance hills giving even more depth to the landscape. I think that you have produced a different interpretation of this scene. Well done and congrats on an excellent shot and it's post processing. Best wishes William

Thanks for your feedback, William.  As I mentioned in the earlier comment, I am quite happy with this image.  I think I go lucky with the clouds and the light that was offered.  I am happy to hear from people's responses so far that I am on the right track with my HDR processing as I am not really a fan of it, but I guess it has its appropriate applications.  Take care.