RMNPJuly 4th Sunset

Shot this 6 frame bracketed image at sunset on the 4th. I used the Oloneo Photo Engine software to do the HDR processing with the "Natural More Colorful" preset. This setting gave me the most accurate to what my eye recalls from the actual scene. Curious if you all find this too HDR'ish? My goal is to bring out the darker areas to match what our eyes can see in those areas without over emphasizing colors. Comments?

This shoot was take a few minutes later and light had changed slightly. I used the Oloneo "Natural" preset in this one. I doesn't have quite the HDR'ish feel. Would be interested to hear your comments of the two images and your preferences.

I definitely prefer the first one. It's much more dramatic but to me still looks natural and not too HDR'ish at all.
Sharron

To me, the second one looks more "HDRish" than the first; the shadows seem more natural in the first. I like the contrast and the color in the first much better.

Thanks Craig. As your quote says "Light Changes." The second image was shot some 5- 10 minutes later and the light was changing very rapidly. In that brief period of time the gap in the clouds on horizon opened up and reflected the sunlight into the valley make it actually brighter than the first one. Thus one reason the shadows aren't as pronounced. During that time the colors faded quite a bit. First was shot at ISO100, f22, 1/6, 1/20, & .5 sec.. Second was shot at ISO 100, f22, .3, 1/8, & .8 sec.

If I had been a bit more on my toes I could have gotten a pano with this included. I shot this hand held. Unfortunately before I could get my camera mounted onto tripod the golden beam had disappeared.