Quote Originally Posted by Mr. Clean
i hear this a lot and don't understand it.

an HDR shot is impossible to get in one shot. the process is used to get full dynamic range of light in one shot. for it to have a processing effect is a necessity. it is what makes the shot successfully dynamic. if you don't like an over-processed look then don't do HDR.

and what chad said about rule of thirds is VERY important. it's hard to teach someone to have a good eye. you kinda just have to understand it. you can know what it is and still not know what to do with it. composition of the shot goes hand in hand with rule of 1/3s as well.


this shot is nice, but there are a lot of things that i would try and avoid:

1) the car
2) the side of the house
3) the garden hose
4) the placement of the bath in the pic (rule of 1/3s and composition apply here)

anyway... there's a mediocre critique for ya lolol. sounds like this is the kind of stuff you want to hear.
All of the shots except the 240 were made with 5 exposures. What I'm comparing to when I say "over-processed" is the very strong burnt marshmallow effect that I got on the S2000 when I tried an HDR with it.

I read the link Chad posted about the rule of 1/3rd's and will certainly keep it in mind on my next photo experiment. Normally I feel that my composition, while not breath taking by any means lol, isn't totally lacking, it just needs refinement.

You are correct, these are the kind of pointers I am looking for. I get tired of seeing people compliment shots that are obviously lacking any kind of attention to detail, and for me to improve I must find out what I need to work on and pay more attention to. I have been doing a little reading here and there, but the fact is to me, I will NEVER improve unless I get out there and just take a lot of pictures and find out what works through trial, error, and criticism. I take it all as what it is, helpful advice. Thanks!