Getting more detail into an image

I like the way HDR images seem to have extra detail. Is there a way to get this into a single shot somehow.
I've tried high pass sharpening, but was wondering If there was some better way to do this in photoshop, Topaz adjust or another way.
I think I saw over at Stuck in Customs a program called Lucis Pro you could get some incredible detail out of images, problem is that program is like $600.
Any suggestions ?

Do you shoot raw or jpg?

I've only dabbled with HDR a little bit, each time I did it with a single raw image which I developed twice - once to optimize the shadows and once the highlights, then combined them with Gimp. I got pretty satisfactory results, but it was a lot of work to make the transition from one image to the other look good.

Bsmooth wrote in post #16680690
I think I saw over at Stuck in Customs a program called Lucis Pro you could get some incredible detail out of images, problem is that program is like $600.

Lucis Pro is an incredible program, but way overpriced. You can get close to the same results using Topaz Adjust and/or Detail. You can use Tonemapping on a single image for a unique look. but it's not HDR.

Bsmooth wrote in post #16680690
I like the way HDR images seem to have extra detail. Is there a way to get this into a single shot somehow.
I've tried high pass sharpening, but was wondering If there was some better way to do this in photoshop, Topaz adjust or another way.
I think I saw over at Stuck in Customs a program called Lucis Pro you could get some incredible detail out of images, problem is that program is like $600.
Any suggestions ?

I find less need for HDR now that I have Lightroom. The highlight, shadow, black, and white sliders do wonders for pulling out details in highlights and shadows.

I shoot RAW only now, plus what you can get out of an image is amazing, and thats only in the RAW converter !
I'm trying to get a certain look, so HDR isn't really my main concern, besides with that new Sony A7R, you almost don't need HDR any longer, it just has so much dynamic range its amazing.
I've seen some images, and I wish I could remember who it was, it was amazing looking at it, it was almost as if more detail was almost painted into the image.

Bsmooth wrote in post #16680820
I've seen some images, and I wish I could remember who it was, it was amazing looking at it, it was almost as if more detail was almost painted into the image.

I'm guessing Tonemapped.

These weren't tonemapped per se, they were of interiors and people as well, just wish I could remember who the artist was.

I have no idea if this is what you are after, but.... a part of tone mapping is increasing the local/micro contrast. It's somewhat like the clarity slider, but on a larger scale (or on two scales.

One way of doing a 'clarity' without LR or PS is to use a USM but with a large radius (say 20 instead of 1) and small amount (say 15 instead of 70).

If you start with that (in relation to whatever units your USM uses) and then increase the radius you might get to what you are looking for without the 'HDR look'. Or you might need to cascade two USMs with different radii (say 20 and 60) with different strengths.

Not sure, but I figured I'd mention it.

Suggestions:

Use tripods, low ISO's, small apertures for maximum DoF............and so on!

Its not rocket science, to get better detail just needs attention.

By mistake I discovered a way to really enhance detail in my B&W images. I use Photomatix Pro and just run a single RAW image through it and use Tone Mapping. There are preset type options to choose from. I then open it in PS and convert to B&W using 3rd party converter.

I started doing quite a few years ago but a lot has changed. Advanced B&W software like Sliver Effects (too pricey for me) and Topaz makes a decent B&W converter.

Photomatix is pretty good but they don't give it away. Just recently I downloaded the free onone Pefect Effects 8 which is similar in many ways that may give you what you are looking for.

I may also try Machinery HDR Effects 2. I've heard and seen a lot on it, and it looks pretty good.

The Nik software will also do a lot for you. HDR Efex is great and easier to use than photomatix

Yes I like the results better with HDR Efex, much cleaner looking, and without the funny glo around everything.