The Technique Conundrum

The learning in photography, well it just never stops.

I take on projects now and then that challenge me as a technician. Sometimes there are assignments which require me to take a closer look at how I achieve my goals.  New equipment, new software, new demands. Each require a photographer to in a sense, go back to school. To brush up and reacquaint themselves with things new and fresh.

I'm not complaining. Quite the contrary. I enjoy looking at the process with a fresh interest in those new challenges. It keeps one from getting stale or bored. 
Case in point, the images below.
Here is a study of technique. One image (on the left) is a blend of 6 images combined in a HDR (high dynamic range) process made to create a richer image than one alone could produce. Along the lines of making an image with a camera that has a huge image sensor or a piece of large format film on a view camera.
On the right is the identical subject matter, but this one is shot with only one ISO setting however it is 3 images that are "focus stacked" in order to achieve a deeper depth of field. Greater focus, more detail.

Barring the obvious increase in saturation and contrast in the left version, I feel that the "focus stacked" version is a more successful image. It has more detail, which is probably important for a manufacturer or an artist who needs to provide information to the viewer.
The HDR technique has it's place. It also has a huge potential for variance, depending on the software and the post-processing approach. There is a liveliness and robustness to it.

Both techniques provide results which may be applicable to a number of situations. If I could provide BOTH techniques to every, let's say "product" image, I would more likely be satisfied every time I shoot. To do so would mean a considerable increase in shoot time AND post-production time too. I need to ask myself it that is reasonable. Is it worth the investment in order to produce the results I think I can provide?  Are both of these results really necessary ?

I say to myself, "I'll take that under advisement" and move on with the experiments.