HDR attempt - Looks fake?

dancorder

Please take a look at the photo below taken on a recent trip to Yosemite and let me know if it looks obviously shopped to you. It's my first attempt at an HDR image and I quite like it, however my fiancee reckons that it looks fake so I'd like to know how other people see it (or if by using HDR I will inevitably get a 'fake' looking image).



P.S. Wasn't sure if this should go here or in Technique, please feel free to move it.

Lord Vetinari

Lovely pic but the waterfall in the shadow definitely looks odd (too bright)
Brian V.

dancorder

Lord Vetinari wrote:

Lovely pic but the waterfall in the shadow definitely looks odd (too bright)
Brian V.

Thanks Brian, that was the bit I was worried about.

I think this version matches the waterfall and the surrounding rocks better, I've also tweaked the overall curves. Anyone see any problems now?

mr peas

lets take out that lens flare!

dancorder

mr peas wrote:

lets take out that lens flare!

I'd love to actually, but I've no idea how, any good tutorials that you know of?

Awais Yaqub

Gone in 60 seconds lol just selection and healing selection with magic wand and soften the mask with blur and heal
lets see what experts do ....
Sorry for not asking permission :cry

Nice photo !

dancorder

Awais Yaqub wrote:

Gone in 60 seconds lol just selection and healing selection with magic wand and soften the mask with blur and heal
lets see what experts do ....
Sorry for not asking permission :cry

Nice photo !

Cool, thanks for the help and don't worry about permission, I asked for help!

I'll have to try it myself . I've never used the healing brush as I mainly use the GIMP and haven't seen one there. I'll have another look. If there isn't one I have a version of Photoshop I can use.

OrvSal

I like the mods that Awais did, it balanced out the image better. Great shot in a great location, under harsh shooting conditions. keep working on it.