First try at HDR

[sim667]

I like HDR, but there's a time and a place, and there's a very fine balance between making it look tacky. A perfectly exposed normal image will always be more of an 'art' than an HDR image, but anyone who knows their photographic history will know that photography has always been a mixture of science and art. HDR is just the next stage in the science process, but capturing 30 stop images rather than the 6 or so stops you'd capture in a non HDR.

I love the argument that if you shoot HDR you're not a real photographer, its ridiculous. I'd be interested to know how many people saying 'HDR is the work of a mediocre photographer' know how to darkroom print.

The problem with digital photography forums is too many people with ego's bigger than the houses they live in. Ego's dont mean that the person has a clue. I think this thread summises that.

 

[Parkin Pig]

HDR takes a mediocre photographer and masks their abilities.

I apologise for masking my mediocre abilities.

HDR is just a tool - it can be used or abused. Live and let live I say. I always thought this thread was for people to share their enthusiasm for photography REGARDLESS of skill level, as opposed to damning everyone who has a different opinion than yourself.

 

[Captpegleg]

Helping the OP

We're really not helping the OP much.
The basics of photography are still required. You must have a subject that appeals to you. The photo has to be composed in a way that suits you. The camera has to be held so that the results satisfy you. You'll notice I said all these things have to satisfy you.
Now if you're going to reach a little furthur and try to make your work pleasing to others so that they might buy a copy, you have at least a couple of folks to satisfy. You can't just dust off the old pig and put some lipstick on her to make it appealing to others. You have to go beyond satisfying a few and make something that is pleasing to a lot of critics. To make someone part with cash and hang that sucker on their wall, you've got to make your work pleasing to everyone and offensive to none. You have to find the formula that will attract them from the other side of the room and have them finding the perfect spot to hang it before they even have it in their hand.
When you find that formula, email me at once. These other guys don't need it.