HDR – High Dynamic Range (high dynamic range) – this is a new and fashionable recent direction in photography. HDR photo differs with its unusual drawing of the smallest details, as well as unnatural, mystical shadows.
In fact, to achieve the HDR effect, you need a modern professional camera. We will achieve this effect using Photoshop tools.
The lesson consists of three parts, more precisely, of three examples of the HDR pseudo-effect. Each example will use a LucisArt filter. Photos in the processing of this filter.
Part I. Portrait.
Step 1. Open the image in Photoshop. In this case, it is a portrait.
Step 2. The first thing we need is to duplicate the layer (Ctrl +J). Apply the duplicate filter, previously downloaded and installed.
Filter – Lucis – LucisArt (Filter – Lucis – LucisArt). Select the Sculpture setting and set the value, for example, equal to thirty.
Step 3. Create a duplicate mask mask. Layer – Layer Mask – Hide all (Layer – Layer Mask – hide everything). The layer mask will turn black and hide the image of the layer.
Beyond that, set the color for foreground (foreground) white, select brush 
white color.
Take a brush on the layer mask. The trick is that the image will show up on the duplicate layer, on which in the subsequent processing we will “focus” attention (in this case it is a man and wooden beads).
Step 4. The next step is to create a new adjustment layer.
Layer – New Adjustment Layer – Curves. (Layer – New adjustment layer – Curves) Adjust the curve as shown below.
Step 5. Now, click on the mask on the layer with the curve (to make it active). Set the default colors (key “Da) select brush black and gently walk in the shadows around the eyes. This is an important point for a portrait, eyes should be highlighted
Step 6. Ctrl +A (to get a selection) Shift +Crtl +C (copy all layers), Ctrl +V (paste copied to new layer).
Filter – Lucis – LucisArt and customize Exposure on 60. Layer opacity level Opacity reduce to 50%.
Step 7. Ctrl +A (to get a selection) Shift +Crtl +C (copy all layers), Ctrl +V (paste copied to new layer).
Step eight. Now on the new layer (after copying) execute Image – Adjustments – Black And White. See settings below.
Step 9. Change the blending mode for the layer to Multiply (Multiplication), Opacity (Opacity of layer) – 40%.
Step 10. Create a layer mask for this layer and delete Eraser (Eraser) from the eye, the previously obtained effect. In other words, repeat for this layer actions from Step 5.
Step 11. Ctrl +A (to get a selection) Shift +Crtl +C (copy all layers), Ctrl +V (paste copied to new layer). For the created layer, apply a LucisArt filter.
Customize Sculpture on 20.
Step 12. Add a mask to the layer Layer – Layer Mask – Hide all (Layer – Layer Mask – hide everything). Brush white color make visible some places in the photo. To avoid missing the desired result, lower the opacity level. Opacity for a brush (so that the image changes gradually). Working with a brush, try not to touch the skin.
Step 13. In this step, we will make the image more detailed. Click on the layers panel 
“Create New Fill (Create a new fill) and in the drop-down menu select Levels (Levels). Move the right slider left to 192.
Step 14. Make the mask active, fill it with black color. Using white brush small size with low opacity Opacity, Walk through the beard, clothes, trees to make these places in the photo more vivid. The same operation, if desired, can be performed on the second layer from the bottom on the layers panel.
Part II. Macro shot.
In this part of the lesson we will work with the macro. The photo was not very spectacular. the ladybug was already preparing for takeoff and there was no time to tune the camera.
Step one. Open the selected image.
Step 2 The technique for achieving the HDR effect is the same as in the first part, but with different settings.
Duplicate layer (Ctrl +J). Filter – Lucis – LucisArt (Filter – Lucis – LucisArt). Choose a setting Sculpture and set the value, for example, to 25.
Step 3. The next step is to create a new adjustment layer.
Layer – New Adjustment Layer – Curves. (Layer – New adjustment layer – Curves) Adjust the curve as shown below:
Step 4. Use gradient on layer mask with a curve. White to black gradient, radial
. With the help of the gradient we will lighten the ladybird and some space around it, thereby bringing it to the fore.
Step 5. Ctrl +A (to get a selection) Shift +Crtl +C (copy all layers), Ctrl +V (paste copied to new layer). Now on the new layer (after copying) execute Image – Adjustments – Black And White. See settings below, or use your own.
Step 6. Further Image – Adjustments – Levels (Image – Correction – Levels).
Settings: 46 – 1.79 – 225.
Step 7. Set the blending mode for the layer Multiply (Multiplication)
Step eight. Add a mask for this layer. Walk with a black brush ladybug on the mask.
Step 9. Ctrl +A (to get a selection) Shift +Crtl +C (copy all layers), Ctrl +V (paste copied to new layer).
Filter – Lucis – LucisArt and customize Exposure on 80.
Step ten. Add a mask to the layer Layer – Layer Mask – Hide all (Layer – Layer Mask – hide everything). Brush White color walk around the ladybug to brighten it even more.
Step 11. Ctrl +A (to get a selection) Shift +Crtl +C (copy all layers), Ctrl +V (paste copied to new layer).
Filter – Lucis – LucisArt (Filter – Lucis – LucisArt). Choose a setting Sculpture and set the value ten.
Step 12. Add a layer mask and, using a black brush, mask the image behind the hand (in the background).
Step 13. In this step, we will make the image more detailed. Click on the layers panel “Create New Fill(Create a new fill) and in the drop-down menu select Levels (Levels). Settings: 0 – 1.00 – 197
Step 14. Make the mask active, fill it with black color. Using white brush small size with low opacity Opacity, walk on the ladybird and next to it. Do not try to completely paint over the bug, focus only on the individual parts.
Do not be afraid to experiment with the filter, the only way you will achieve the desired result.
Part III. Landscape.
Step 1. Open the photo in Photoshop.
Step 2. Duplicate the layer Ctrl + J. Further Filter – Lucis – LucisArt.
Sculpture: 30.
Step 3. Add a mask to the layer Layer – Layer Mask – Hide all (Layer – Layer Mask – hide everything). Brush white color walk across the sky with clouds.
Step 4. By the next action we will achieve a saturation of dark tones.
Layer – New Adjustment Layer – Curves. (Layer – New adjustment layer – Curves) Adjust the curve as shown below:
Step 5. Make an active mask on the adjustment layer. Select the Gradient tool. (radial, black to white). With the help of a gradient we will mask the arbor.
Step 6. Ctrl +A (to get a selection) Shift +Crtl +C (copy all layers), Ctrl +V (paste copied to new layer).
Filter – Lucis – LucisArt and customize Exposure on 70.
Step 7. Ctrl +A (to get a selection) Shift +Crtl +C (copy all layers), Ctrl +V (paste copied to new layer). Now on the new layer (after copying) execute Image – Adjustments – Black And White. Settings see below:
Step 8. Change blending mode to Multiply, Opacity (layer opacity) – 50%.
Add a layer mask, arm with a brush black (pre-reduce the opacity of the brush) and mask the underside of the image.
Step 9. Ctrl +A (to get a selection) Shift +Crtl +C (copy all layers), Ctrl +V (paste copied to new layer).
Filter – Lucis – LucisArt (Filter – Lucis – LucisArt). Choose a setting Sculpture and set the value 20.
Step 10. Add a mask to the layer Layer – Layer Mask – Hide all (Layer – Layer Mask – hide everything). Brush white color walk across the sky with clouds.
Step 11. In this step, we will make the image more detailed. Click on the layers panel “Create New Fill(Create a new fill) and in the drop-down menu select Levels (Levels). Settings: 0 – 1.00 – 185.
Step 12. Fill the mask with black. Paint a gazebo and grass with a low-opacity white brush.
Finally, you can lightly toned the image using a combination of Alt + Ctrl + U, those. add the effect of antiquity.
To achieve the effect of HDR you can easily use another technique of performance. The author presented to your court only one of the possible options.
In conclusion, I want to say that the LucisArt Filter is licensed, therefore, you have two ways:
1. purchase;
2. demo version.
If you do not like either one or the other – Google to help you.
Author: Constantin Potorac
