Tip of the Week – Cool HDR "Look" without the HDR

One of the new super cool features in CS5 is the HDR Image Toning. It let’s you create that cool HDR ‘look’ with just one image. Last week we did a great shoot out in Yamhill, Oregon and I was able to use my 14-24 2.8 for some amazing shots. It thought it would be a great test for the HDR. As you can see in the Pre-HDR and the After HDR, there is a dramatic difference in both the shadows and the highlights. If you see this image at full resolution it is amazing the detail it brings out. It is just amazing. My settings The default HDR settings are good except for Portraits you need to change the following.

• Radius – bump up to 200
• Strength – 1.3
• Vibrance – 13
• Saturation – MINUS 4

To access this Toning function, go to Image>Adjustments>HDR Toning. Adobe has a free trial of CS5, give it a whirl.