This document provides a tutorial for creating a high dynamic range (HDR) photo using Adobe Photoshop CS5. The tutorial involves taking an original photo layer and duplicating it, with one layer adjusted to black and white with an overlay blend mode and gaussian blur added. A third layer of the original photo is added on top with a linear light blend mode. Adjusting the opacity of this top layer blends the layers together to increase the contrast and create an HDR effect beyond what a single photo capture can achieve. The result is a photo with a wider dynamic range and more highlights and shadows visible than the original.

2. Adobe Photoshop
Prepared by: Lyndon Jeorge A. Mendoza

3. Photoshop: Tutorial
Adobe Photoshop CS5 HDR Tutorial

4. The acronym HDR comes from the words High Dynamic Range. In
a photo, dynamic range means the difference between the
lightest and the darkest color value. In other words, dynamic
range means the contrast of a photo. HDR photo means a photo
which has larger dynamic range than an ordinary photo. HDR
photos have larger dynamic range than today's digital consumer
cameras are able to capture.
Original Photo Final Photo

5. 1. The first thing we have to do is to duplicate the original layer by
right clicking on the layer an choosing “Duplicate Layer”. We can
name our first layer “original” and our duplicated layer “black and
white” or just “B&W”.

6. 2. Now we have to adjust our “B&W” layer. First we will change
the layer’s blending mode to “Overlay”.
Next we have to desaturate the layer. We can do this by going to
Image > Adjustments > Desaturate.
•Or we can use the keyboard
shortcut combination
Shift+Ctrl+U.
•Now we’re going to invert the
“B&W” layer: Image >
Adjustments > Invert
•Or we can use the keyboard
shortcut combination Ctrl+I.

7. 3. It’s time to add some Gaussian Blur to our “B&W” Layer. We’ll do
this by going to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur.
Tweak the blur radius around 30 pixels. You can adjust this to fit
your own taste. Anywhere between 20 and 50 pixels will create the
“glow” around the edges.
Now if you have followed right our CS5 HDR tutorial, you will have
an image similar to this:

9. 4. The next thing to do is to duplicate again the original layer and to
drag it on top of all layers. We can name this layer “Linear”.

10. We have to change the layer’s blending mode to “Linear Light”.
Now tweak the opacity of the
“Linear” layer until you are
satisfied with the final result. For
my image I set it to 60%.

11. At the end you have to get an image that looks something like
this:
I hope you like this, easy but cool Photoshop CS5 HDR
Tutorial.

12. Thank you!