► Digital Photography Tips for Beginners, Creating Pseudo HDR effect using Photoshop.

In my earlier post I have shared some basic knowledge and the primary concept to create a HDR tone-mapped image to get a detailed view.(Click to visit the post)

It is obvious that to follow the technique is possible while using only those cameras where manual settings are available to vary the exposure. But the entry level Point-and-Shoot cameras do not have that much manual functionality most of the time. So, does that mean that a person using a camera of such kind will be debarred from making a detailed image? Well The Answer is "NO". They can also attain the vivid details via Pseudo HDR technique in a few steps. Though this will not provide the image of similar quality like the Actual HDR technique, but something is better than nothing.

The following technique is based on the features of Adobe Photoshop CS6.

Consider the following image for the purpose.

Original Image. Camera: Canon PowerShot SX130IS. 1/200 sec, f/8 , ISO 80, White Balance: Auto.
 Location: Kashmir.

     The main aim after opening the image in Photoshop, is to try bring more details in the different parts of the image ( in shadows and highlights ). If the image is not suffering from big loss in details it is better to skip this technique and use as it is with general adjustments in brightness, contrast, saturation etc.

• Step 1. Go To Image - Adjustments - Shadows/Highlights.

     In the Shadows/Highlights window, you will be presented with a set of sliders which will allow to bring in details to different part of the image. Play with the sliders until a desired result is achieved, means a situation when details are available at all the part of the image. (keep the preview box checked to see the live view of the editing.) Hit Ok to apply when you are satisfied.

    Here is what I do:

• Step 2. Sharpening the image a bit. 

     Firstly, duplicate the background layer [ select the background layer and go to Layer - Duplicate Layer or simply press Ctrl+J ]. Set the Blend Mode of the top layer (the layer that is just created) to Overlay ( from the blend mode drop down option ) and then Go To Filter - Other - High Pass.

   Set the radius depending on the image. Allow as much sharpness required for a better look. (keep the preview box Ticked to get the live preview). Hit Ok to apply.

    Here is what I do: It is surely looking a bit more sharp than previous.

• Step 3. Flatten the images. 

     Go To Layer - Flatten Image. Then duplicate the background layer (Shortcut: Ctrl+J)

• Step 4. Go To Image - Adjustments - Desaturate (Shortcut: Shift+Ctrl+U )

     This will make the layer black and white. Then hit Ctrl + I to invert the colors and set the blend mode to overlay.

     Here is what I do. Certainly it is not looking good at this point. Lets see what happens next.

• Step 5. Go To Filter - Blur - Gaussian Blur. 

     Set a value to see a mild halo around the edges of the elements of the image. Keep the preview box Checked to see the live preview. Hit Ok to apply.

• Step 6. Flatten your image once again and duplicate the background layer twice. 

     This will give you two layers on top of the background layer. Set the blend mode of the first layer to Linear Burn and of the second layer to Color Dodge. Set the opacity of the Linear Burn layer to around 10% and the Color Dodge layer around 25%.

• Step 7: Apply some more adjustments as per requirement.

     After a few more adjustments here how it looks:

     That's it; now the image has a bit of Pseudo HDR look and also better details. It took it from a comparatively dull image to a vivid and detailed photo.

     Later the image can be processed more using other adjustments like Brightness , Contrast, S Curve etc.

• Final Comparison:

The editing is to illustrate the steps only.