Fake HDR effect

[Chapperingo]

Recently while processing some auto-bracketed shots I had taken through photomatix I realised that the output was not what I wished for. So armed with my Photoshop Elements 9 new masking powers I Went to try something different to my three bracketed pictures. I picked the two brightest and darkest images first.


So to get a high dynamic range 'look' I did some layer masking to bring out the best details of each picture. This gave me a picture with a good range, but not quite the same 'pop' as photomatix gives out. To bring back this 'pop' I ran my image through HDR Darkroom starter, a simple freebie program I got through a magazine, this gave me an image with impact; but to tone this down a little I then layer masked this result into my original masked image. Other than that only basic editing with colour curves and sharpening was done to create my final image.



I hope you agree with me on the improvement !
Any comments appreciated and take a look at my flickr for more Flickr: Chasing The Shot's Photostream

[Cupcake]

Wow, it's really outstanding. I love it, excellent work!

[Chapperingo]

Thanks glad you like it

[gturner]

Thats lovely!
Is there any way you can get rid of that large lens flare? I think that will make it even better.

[Chapperingo]

I did try using the content aware brush but it just didn't work. Is a shame I agree although my new camera doesn't suffer from the same lens flare problem

[Rehesan]

Great job!! I really liked the result!

Amazing image!

TFS

[Kole~Slaw]

Wonderful photo! Thank you for sharing.