For your info,HDR is high dynamic range images
I see hdr as detailed,enhanced and nicely saturated
If you're looking at "drawing" like and unnatural output
that is another part of the story.I do create some as well
but it all depends on the type of shots.
In your case above,I think you can brightened up a little with the gamma slider
(I don't know about the trial software btw)
Most of the time, post processing comes in to "save the day"
You need to understand the software and it's possibilities