Wooww I am overwhelmed. So many comments. There are not many readers of my English Blog so thank you for your response.

In my last blogpost I asked which of the three versions you liked the most.

Here are the three versions again:

1/3

Is a normal retouching in Lightroom out of one normal exposed RAW file. Some curves, some highlights and dark adjustments, nothing special.

2/3

Was an accident. I have retouched all 3 RAW files in Lightroom during the import with a portrait setting by accident before I did the HDR retouching in photomatix. I loved the result but recognized my mistake.

3/3

Is a HDR retouching out of the 3 above mentioned but non retouched RAW files. In photomatix I used the same setting like in 2/3 and luckily love the result.

It is interesting that most of my readers preferred 1/3. It is the most „natural“ retouched photo. I was really sure that the other HDR photos would be your favorites.

Both HDR Files suffer from the problems with the movement of the water. Some comments complained about that. A time exposure would look different and more natural you are right. Movement in water surfaces is a no go for HDR most of the time.

Guess what: I like the version 3/3 more than 2/3. There are more resources in highlights and shadows with unretouched RAW files.

But comparing the three version I prefer the good old retouching in 1/3 without HDR. I love the contrast in the area of the small stones. I think it would look different with more time exposure and foggy water.

It is great getting impression from you. I think I will do this more often. Such response is important.  Without such feedback I tend not to see the wood for the trees.

I think this is an example that HDR is not always the silver bullet. BTW. there will be more HDR Posts in the next weeks. Thanks to Bernd.

Do you like seeing more strategies in retouching?