HDR + Wide angle again I see
I'm not sure what to make of the shots, so I will be systematic and constructive in my analysis so my opinions are justified to the fans.
Firstly the use of HDR
HDR as a technique can produce some lovely looking photographs and interesting effects. The increase in the dynamic range of a photograph is obviously something that non-photographers will appreciate aesthetically, thinking "wow that looks so surreal, it's great!" they like what they see, because they've never seen it before. This fits your criteria for "unique photographs of liverpool", to most people this effect will be brand new and something they've never seen before.
My opinion is obviously going to be different to joe public, because I understand the full application
of HDR, from process to final image. I know
why it looks different and therefore I can apply a more critical eye, seeing more to the shot than simply an HDR image.
1,2,3,8 and 12 are the shots which I believe justify the HDR effect. They would be less aesthetically pleasing shots without it, so as a viewer and a photographer, I can appreciate your choices here.
Number 3 is the only one which I believe has been over done, because of the huge variation in colours and brightness, it looks a little busy. I still like the photograph, but I think it could do with a little bit more work to make buildings to the right of the shot a little less blatently "HDR'd".
Number 7 is a fantastic photograph, the lines, the symetry, they texture everything. Unfortunately this shot is ruined by the post processing. It looks as though you've applied a sketch filter in photoshop and resized it, which obviously you haven't.
I know that underneath the HDR there is a fantastic shot there, so maybe you could post the original?
The rest of the photographs seem to be "same old, same old", the HDR effect has been employed to make an otherwise normal shot seem more exciting than it is, and because of this, has failed.
Be aware that I am not concerned with composition at the moment, I will give my view on that shortly, when I say the rest don't work I mean as HDR shots, not as photographs themselves.
Composition and Framing
You opted to use a wide angle lens here, which has started to shape your style as a creative and successful photographer.
All of the photographs suit the wide angle shots except for 11,13 and 14. The nature of a wide angle lens allowed you to capture a large amount of what stood before you, this is appropriate for the majority of the shots and they are nicely framed. The others didn't benefit so much and interestingly they are the ones at the football ground, which you said was your hardest challenge. This shows in your final images.
Overall view
I like these.
The photographs 11,12 and 13 taken at the football ground don't appeal to me, they are neither artistic (by using HDR) nor are they journalistic enough, they appear to be more snapshots loosely obeying the rules of composition and with most I can see what you were trying to achieve, but unfortunately don't hit the nail on the head. The rest are stronger and I can see you producing some great shots if you re-visit the grounds (which i'm sure you will).
The 'cityscape' photographs, with the exception of 4 tick all the boxes and make me go "wow", you've got these spot on, well done!
Reccomendations?
Your photographs show your talent as a photographer, it is clear that you have a great eye for shots and you know how to make the most of your surroundings.
I would be interested to see some photographs from you that move away from the wide angle and HDR process, go back to basics and see what you can produce straight from the camera, relying more on your skill as a photographer than a photoshop user.
I wait with baited breath for more
