My First HDR Attempt: 56k beware, large photos

[needlnerdz]

I think the first and third photos look better as the original exposure. The HDR makes it too flat.

I fully agree... Convert these images to greyscale. and they are all rather flat and greyish.. where is the range when you are compensating for everything to be middleground? I personally prefer a shot that loses area to black.. (lose on the white end looks little worse..)- but it gives it character.. and interest in lighting. on a technical standpoint, it is nice to be able to just place three images together and have it merge them, but I think one should add a bit more peronsal touch, in only allowing the under and over exposed shots to compensate a minute amount, just enough to keep those values from being over/under exposed completely. just my 2¢