High Dynamic Range (HDR) images really can take your photography to the next level.
Creating compelling HDR images, whether by using Photoshop's faux-HDR technique or through multiple exposures and tone mapping, is a painstaking process.
Portraits are especially tricky because there's less room for error in HDR portraits.
But you can try some special techniques that will help you get better results with your HDR portraits every time.
Here are 20 stunning examples of portraits that represent the range of what's possible with HDR.
To get good results with HDR portraits, make sure that skin tones don't turn grey, which will make them look lifeless and unattractive. This is a common problem with faux-HDR images.
Also make sure that your subject didn't move between shots. The most common cause of blurring is movement of the hands and arms, which are difficult to keep still for several seconds. If you're sensitive to this kind of blurring, you can fix it when processing the photos.
This generally isn't an issue with faux-HDR images (unless the original image was blurred), but it's a big problem with true HDR created through tone mapping and multiple images.
Don't let your images become too monochromatic. This is more common with faux-HDR, but it's also possible to ruin tone mapped images if you over-process. Monochromatic images, especially portraits, often look unnatural and lifeless.
Remember that the purpose of HDR photography is to allow images to more accurately represent the colors and tones observable by the human eye.
Keep these things in mind when creating your own images and you'll be much more likely to get good results. It is completely possible to create nice HDR images that are artistic and creative without looking weird.