Let there be light! with HDR

Samantha McNelis

There are many different ways of editing photos using Adobe Photoshop. There is a very simple way to make your photos more detailed and complex, giving them a Higher Dynamic Range.

What does that mean, you may ask? Well, HDR gives photos a more complex and structured look. Using Photoshop, you will be able to give your photos a crisp, detailed look in less than two minutes and less than 12 steps! Here’s what you need to do:

1. Open an image in Photoshop

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2. Duplicate the background layer of the image

   – name that layer ‘Black and White’

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3. Change the format of ‘Black and White’ from normal to overlay

   – option available in “layers”

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4. Desaturate the photo

   – Image → adjustments → desaturate

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The shortcut is ‘Command-Shift-U”

5. Invert the photo

   – Image → adjustment → invert

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   – The shortcut is ‘Command-I’

6. Blur the photo

– Filter → Blur → Gaussian Blur

– Radius: 40 pixels

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7. Duplicate the background layer again

   – rename it ‘linear’

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8. Move the linear layer above the black and white layer

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9. Change the format of the layer  to ‘Linear Light’

10. Decrease the opacity to make it between 15% – 23%

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You’re done!

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In just 10 easy steps, your photos can transform from normal and unedited to crisp and detailed!