Nameless Door

I took this picture yesterday but I cannot remember in which park in San Diego! It had a weird name and I forgot to take a picture to the sign. I am getting so much better in HDR. Before, I used to use the Grunge affect and getting crazy with colors and affects, but now I am using HDR to make my picture realistic and nice in the same time. I seriously think this is one of the best shots I've taken, because HDR make the details of the door pop out. The reason it is in B&W it because the timing when this was taken wasn't dark nor bright so it didn't really look good. I added a B&W affect in Photomatix, and "Photo Pop" in Topaz Adjust. Then added the vignette that gave the picture so much more meaning.

Sunset in Seaport Village, San Diego.

I went to Seaport Village today hoping I will get good shots to HDR during sunset time. I got below picture by combing 15 expousers together. I was kind of disappointed that I didn't get the smooth surfaced water. Apparently, I must have the Netural Density Filter. I have to buy it because wherever I go for photography; I am surround with bodies of water!

To fix the problem, or make it a little bit better; I took my image to Topaz Adjust. There is an option called "Smooth and Flat" which worked for my advantage this time. It gave a smooth looking to the water, and also to the wooden house. I didn't care much for that flawless smoothness because I think it worked nicely in this photo. I also sharpened and added some saturation to make sunset colors pop.