*** From the Archives ***

This article is from July 16, 2009, and is no longer current.

Create an Artificial HDR Effect in Photoshop

HDR is cool, but because it requires multiple takes of the same scene that are nearly identical, you might think it’s impossible to achieve when you’re shooting objects that move.
However, with Adobe Photoshop CS4 and this tutorial, you can create a faux HDR effect that adds an oversaturated, illustrative enhancement to underexposed images.
Stream the 10MB QuickTime tutorial in a separate window by clicking the image below.

 

RUSSELL BROWN is the Senior Creative Director at Adobe Systems, and an Emmy Award-winning instructor. He shares his delight in testing the creative limits of his tools, and his in-depth design knowledge and zany presentation style has won him a regular following among beginning, intermediate, and advanced users alike.
  • Anonymous says:

    Absolutely awesome, Mr. Brown!!! Thank You! :)

  • Anonymous says:

    I think ‘Russel Brown HDR Effect’ works fine just for parrots :-) Anyway I watched and learned your many tutorials: thank you very much.

  • Anonymous says:

    Of course it’s always best if you start with a raw image, but you can open a JPEG image in Adobe Camera Raw and get the same effect. Assuming the camera didn’t throw out too much necessary detail when creating the jpg, of course. Thanks for the great tutorial!

  • Anonymous says:

    Russell Brown has created the BEST TRAINING VIDEO OF THE DECADE! Even if you don’t plan to use his specific effect, seeing the range of possibilities out of RAW is incredibly valuable. Most videos — understandably — are trying to make it look “right.” In that most are alike! But Mr. Brown spreads his wings and soars with his parrot over mountains, Asian gardens and more. Beautiful. More!
    Hawai’i Bill

  • Anonymous says:

    Thank you so much for this! I have tried several tutorials for making HDR like images and none come close to this one. I saved your video because I never want to lose this!

  • Anonymous says:

    Actually, this is a pretty common topic on the web. I think a better website overall for stuff like this would be cambridgeincolour.com

  • Create8 says:

    Thanks for this very helpful tutorial. The parrot looks absolutely amazing, I didnt know this could be done.

  • Anonymous says:

    Many interesting things and can do with this program. You just know how to use it. so you must learn in time, unfortunately, with a lot of practice.accesorii auto|auto occasion|rca ieftin

  • Anonymous says:

    me gusta mucho esta pg

  • Anonymous says:

    I have to say the information was very good. The delivery is exciting, though just a little over the top. Other than – a great tutorial. Thanks

    https://www.tomhallphotography.com.au

  • Anonymous says:

    nice

  • Justin Taylor says:

    I think this effect is becoming a bit overused. How about a good old decent exposure?
    Chris Hall Photography

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