HUMMER H2
by topdog

Comment by jomari:
With that text at the bottom I'm sure this is headed for the DQ zone. (I'll ignore that while I vote.) That aside, I think you've spoilt your image with the very loud border.

Palm trees at sunset
by topdog

Comment by Paul:
Greetings from the Critique Club:

Well, you certainly made an impact with this one and actually I think the overall scene you shot was a good choice for this challenge. I can even buy the centred composition with the trees eclipsing the setting sunlight.

However, your processing is a different matter entirely - sure it's obvious that this must've been the look you were going for but that doesn't explain the choice - the end result is ugly and more than slightly ruinous of your nice scene. I think people have little tolerance for seeing good shots ruined.

Your other comments are right, halos and fringing are pretty much pathognomonic of badly applied HDR. Having made that choice, you're living with the results.

Of course, if you like the look then carry on but if you want higher scores you'll need to accept that your images have an audience other than yourself and unlike you they do get to vote on your images.

Now, there is a whole subculture on DPC of supporting alternative and disruptive images and playing to that crowd can be fun but even there, with this shot - you'll struggle to win admirers.

However, as I said before - if you're just shooting for yourself then carry on, that's admirable in itself and after all, it is your image.

Paul

Palm trees at sunset
by topdog

Comment by fldave:
This is almost 3-D! I like HDR, but they don't always go over well here unless they are more photo-realistic. It really is the purple fringing and and halos around the palm trees that are objectionable. Maybe back off a hair to avoid these issues, but I think this was quite good for your first entry.

Palm trees at sunset
by topdog

Comment by salmiakki:
If you like, that's all that matters.

Palm trees at sunset
by topdog

Comment by Bear_Music:
Really, really bad HDR artifacting here: bad noise, bad color fringing, bad haloing around the trees. It's just out of control...

Palm trees at sunset
by topdog

Comment by Tolt:
I'm not digging the wierd neon-colored edges on everything. I like the way the sky looks really close to the sun though.

Palm trees at sunset
by topdog

Comment by doremi:
Too overly processed for me. Nice composition.

Palm trees at sunset
by topdog

Comment by giantmike:
A gorgeous scene with great light and a cool composition. But the extreme over-processed look doesn't do this photo justice at all.

Palm trees at sunset
by topdog

Comment by michelR:
too over-edited in my opinion, 5

Palm trees at sunset
by topdog

Comment by Marty:
Too overprocessed for my taste.