This tutorial will show you an easy way to get that cool HDR look in your digital photos without taking multiple shots or using complex 3rd party filters. The finished product of this template cn be downoaded here.

(In image processing, computer graphics, and photography, high dynamic range imaging (HDRI or just HDR) is a set of techniques that allows a greater dynamic range of luminances between light and dark areas of a scene than normal digital imaging techniques. The intention of HDRI is to accurately represent the wide range of intensity levels found in real scenes ranging from direct sunlight to shadows.)

1.> Open the image you want to give the HDR effect to in Photoshop. Resize it to suit your needs and make whatever other minor changes you want now. I used a picture I took at Oakfield Farm.

2.> Go to the top menu and select: Image/Apply Image. (If you do not see Apply Image in the Image menu select Show all menu Items first) In the pop up window select Multiply from the Blending menu. Adjust the opacity to suit your needs, remember that it will look very dark, the next step will fix midtones and highlights. Click OK when done.

3.> Open the Apply Image window again. Now select Screen fron the Blending menu and adjust the opacity until it looks good. Remember every image will require slightly different settings.

4.> Voila... you now have a cool HDR looking photo.

5.> Have fun experimenting with different settings.