How is this done? HDR?

[socalrailfan]

So I'm finally trying to expand my PS knowledge and skills and I recently found out about HDR. Now I know some HDR's require multiple photos that have been bracketed. But can HDR be achieved with one photo?

Today I've come across a few photos that you can tell were photos, but almost look fake. It's something I can't explain. Take a look at this attachment and tell me what you think was done to it.

These are some areas I really want to learn!

282625

[Vetteography]

So I'm finally trying to expand my PS knowledge and skills and I recently found out about HDR. Now I know some HDR's require multiple photos that have been bracketed. But can HDR be achieved with one photo?

Today I've come across a few photos that you can tell were photos, but almost look fake. It's something I can't explain. Take a look at this attachment and tell me what you think was done to it.

These are some areas I really want to learn!

282625

You can do it with one photo, but the results are often not as good as with a bracketed set.

The most popular software to use in combining the bracketed shots (or, for that matter, creating an HDR image from a single raw photo) is Photomatix Pro 3.0, followed by cleanup/crop etc in Photoshop (or your favorite alternative)

For more info on the software, the manuf. page is http://www.hdrsoft.com/index.html

I have just started playing with it and though I haven't achieved the kind of results that you have shown above, it is a neat toy to play with.

[eddarr]

Doesn't look to me like it is an HDR. It's just heavily processed to get that look. Depending on what software you are using you can look at actions for CS or presets for Lightroom. There are several available that will give that affect.

[socalrailfan]

OK I'd love to find this action for CS, just not even sure what it would be called or what it is.

As soon as my pocket book gets over the new 40D shock I'll be getting the Photomatix Pro 3.0

[luigis]

If you like to experiment with HDR cosider trying QTPFsgui, it is free.
I've done a lot of HDRs and never used Photomattix

Hope it helps,
Luigi

[Vetteography]

If you like to experiment with HDR cosider trying QTPFsgui, it is free.
I've done a lot of HDRs and never used Photomattix

Hope it helps,
Luigi

Thanks for the tip, I can't wait to try it out and compare.

[Faolan]

if that attachment is what you're trying to achieve then you're not going to get it via HDR.

The image is using good lighting to start with and then heavy glamour processing using:

Curves to achieve the white highlights
Gaussian Blur to achieve the soft glow effect

You also have narrow depth of field which I suspect was done in Photoshop but not sure from that res.

HDR is best used for extreme dynamic range beyond the cameras abiltiy to capture. It's also not possible to display HDR on the monitor as true HDR is 92Bits of data and is used for light mapping in 3D apps.

What you get for screen is called Tone Mapping where you map the dynamic range into a standard 8bit or 16bit image. This can result in surreal and unrealistic images if you're not careful. Also shadows and highlights can be more 'harsh'.

[EOS MAN1]

It looks like Diffuse Glow to me. I did something similar with an illustrative photo.

If you have an image you want to look similar to that post it and I will work my magic. It has to be a high contrast image with relatively bright highlights.

[lmulderi]

eos man, Is this an action available somewhere or your own doing?