Quote Originally Posted by james
hdr is a cop-out; a scapegoat - for bad photography.

no offense to the op.

post the originals please.
95% of the time i agree with this.

also to OP if you really want to get better get on POTN or other photography forums and ask for harsh critique of your shots. you have gotten alot of good advice in this thread about photography, but that is rare on IA. on your next shoot make a thread on a photography forum andd ask to have your photos picked apart and for the members to hold nothing back. in my experiences thats the best way to learn.