Hey everybody! In this tutorial, I'll show you some great techniques to achieve HDR effects. There are a lot of different techniques out there, but I prefer to use this specific filter called LucisArt. Soon there will be a new and better release called Lucis Pro. Till then we'll use this one. You can buy it from their website or take the 30 days trial to test and see if you like it. Also, the filter is only available for Windows. The new Lucis Pro will also be available for MAC though.
Achieve HDR Style Effects Using Photoshop and the Lucis Art Filter
Aug 15th in Photo Effects by Constantin Potorac
Part I - Applying HDR Styling to a Portrait Image
This tutorial has three parts. We'll review adding HDR styling to multiple types of images using the LucisArt filter. In this first part, we'll work on adding more interest with HDR styling to a portrait photo.
Final Image Preview for Part I
Before we get started with Part I, let's take a look at the image we'll be creating. Click the screenshot below to view the full-size image. As always, the layered Photoshop file is available via our PSDTUTS Plus membership.
Step 1
Open up your image in Photoshop. I'll start with a portrait image I shot.
Step 2
First thing you need to do is to duplicate the layer (J). Then go to Filter > Lucis > LucisArt. Here you will need to select the Sculpture option and set it to something like 30.
Step 3
Create a Layer Mask for this layer and fill it with black. This will hide all the effect. Then, take the brush (set to white) and draw over the man and the products he was selling. Leave the trees untouched.
Step 4
Next I will add a new adjustment layer. Select the curves from the drop-down menu.
Step 5
Now using a black brush, simply draw over the eyes. But do this into the mask that was automatically created. In a portrait it is important that the eyes are not covered by the shadow. They need to be visible.
Step 6
Next press Command + A to make a selection, go to Edit > Copy Merged, and again go to Edit > Paste. Then go to Filter > Lucis > LucisArt and this time select Exposure and set it to 60. Then set the Opacity to 50%.
Step 7
Press Command + A to make a selection over the entire image. Then again go to Edit > Copy Merged and Edit > Paste.
Step 8
Now that you have all the layers copied go to Image > Adjustments > Black And White and play with the settings there.
Step 9
Set the layer to Multiply and the Opacity to 40%.
Step 10
Now make a Layer Mask for this layer and erase some of this effect from the eyes using the Brush Tool (B), just as we did in Step 5.
Step 11
Next you need to press Command + A to make a selection. Then go to Edit > Copy Merged and Edit > Paste. Then go to Filter > Lucis > LucisArt and this time use Sculpture set to 20.
Step 12
Mask the layer and fill it with black. Now using a white brush, you'll need to make visible only a few parts of the image. You'll also need to decrease the opacity of the brush to create the effect gradually. I will try not to draw with the brush over the old man's skin.
Step 13
Next I want to make the image more detailed. Select the Levels setting from the Create New Fill Or Adjustment Layer and set the right slider to left at 192.
Step 14
Fill the mask that was created automatically with black. Then with a small white brush set to a lower Opacity, draw over the beard, clothes, and some parts of the wood to lighten them up.
Conclusion of Part I
For this particular image you can maybe use some filters that help you smooth the skin, but I personally like it as it is. The final image is below and you can view the larger image here.
Part II - Applying HDR Styling to a Close-Up Image
Next we'll do another personal photograph that I actually love very much. This is macro photography. The image isn't perfect because I shot it very fast, as the ladybug was flying away.
Final Image Preview for Part II
Before we get started with Part II, let's take a look at the image we'll be creating. Click the screenshot below to view the full-size image. As always, the layered Photoshop file is available via our PSDTUTS Plus membership.
Step 1
Open up the image.
Step 2
We'll use similar techniques that I showed you in Part I, but we'll use different settings. Also, we'll place the lights in different places. Start by duplicating the image and go to Filter > Lucis > LucisArt and select Sculpture set to 25.
Step 3
Next go to Create New Fill Or Adjustment Layer and select Curves, and drag the line down a bit.
Step 4
Now using the Gradient Tool (G) set to black, lighten the ladybug, as she is our focal point here. Do this in the Layer Mask thumbnail.
Step 5
Next press Command + A to select everything, go to Edit > Copy Merged, and then go to Edit > Paste. Next, go to to Image > Adjustments > Black and White and use my settings below, or maybe play with them as you see fit.
Step 6
Next go to Image > Adjustments > Levels and set it at: 46, 1.79, and 225. Then press OK.
Step 7
Set the layer to Multiply.
Step 8
Make a mask for this layer. Then using the black Gradient Tool (G) set to Radial, lighten the ladybug, as I did below.
Step 9
Next press Command + A to select everything, go to Edit > Copy Merged, and then Edit > Paste. Next go to Filter > Lucis > LucisArt and set the Exposure to 80.
Step 10
Mask the layer and fill the mask with black. Next using a white brush you'll need to draw over the ladybug again to bring some more light on her.
Step 11
Press Command + A to select everything again, go to Edit > Copy Merged, and then Edit > Paste. Next go to Filter > Lucis > LucisArt and set Sculpture at 10.
Step 12
Mask it and using a black brush, cover the background behind the hand.
Step 13
Last step is to go to Create New Fill Or Adjustment Layer and select Levels. For the Levels use 0, 1.00, 197 and then press OK.
Step 14
Mask the layer and fill it with black. Then with a small white low Opacity brush, simply draw over the ladybug to make her more detailed. Try not to draw all over her, just a few parts to make them pop out.
Conclusion of Part II
This effect is something I personally use. You can experiment with the filter and get a lot of different effects. The final image is below and you can view the larger image here.
Part III - Applying HDR Styling to a Scenic Nature Image
This is going to be the last image that we're going to work on in this multi-part tutorial. It's a natural scenic photograph being given an HDR style.
Final Image Preview for Part III
Before we get started with Part III, let's take a look at the image we'll be creating. Click the screenshot below to view the full-size image. As always, the layered Photoshop file is available via our PSDTUTS Plus membership.
Step 1
Open up your scenic nature photograph.
Step 2
Duplicate the layer. Then go to Filter > Lucis > LucisArt, and set the Sculpture to 30.
Step 3
Now mask the layer and fill it with black. Then with a white brush draw over the clouds. As you can see my clouds get some really ugly pixels so I used the Clone Tool (S) to cover them up.
Step 4
Next you need to go to Create New Fill or Adjustment Layer and select Curves. Drag the line a little down and press OK. By doing this you will darken the image a little.
Step 5
Next use a black Radial Gradient (G) and lighten the gazebo. Do this into the mask of the curves layer.
Step 6
Next press Command + A to make a selection, go to Edit > Copy Merged, and then Edit> Paste. Next go to Filter > Lucis > LucisArt and select Exposure and set it to 70.
Step 7
Next press Command + A to make a selection, go to Edit > Copy Merged, and then Edit > Paste. Next go to Image > Adjustments > Black and White and play with the settings.
Step 8
Set it to Multiply and Opacity 50%. Next mask it and using a black brush draw over the lower side.
Step 9
Next press Command + A to make a selection, go to Edit > Copy Merged, and then Edit > Paste. Next go to Filter > Lucis > LucisArt and set Sculpture to 20.
Step 10
Mask the layer and fill it with black. Then using a white brush, paint over the clouds.
Step 11
Go to Create New Fill or Adjustments Layer and select Levels. Bring the right slider to the left at 185.
Step 12
Fill the mask with black. Then using a small white Brush with a low Opacity, draw over the gazebo and grass.
Conclusion of Part III
In the end, you can add a vintage effect as well. I've added one of my favorites vintage actions with the rest of the tutorial PSD files in the download for PLUS members. The final image is below and you can view the larger image here.
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User Comments
( ADD YOURS )leertaste August 15th
Nice tut & filter:)
( )BogDinamita August 15th
wow
( )AP August 15th
Thanks dude!
( )Ryan August 15th
Always loved the LucisArt filter, but it’s nothing new. Learned about this technique a long time ago here: http://www.blog.bluehourphoto.com/secretweapon.html
( )Nate August 15th
Pretty cool. Also, congrats on 30,000 subscribers PSDTUTS! =)
( )Dboe August 15th
So Sweet.
( )David Leggett August 15th
Usually, I’m not a big fan of creating HDR effects without… well, you know, multiple shots to get the real thing going. However, that close up shot used in the tutorial looks pretty killer.
Omar’s got a pretty quick solution for the fake HDR style worth checking out: http://4thdynasty.com/designtools/
( )daniel lopes August 15th
Amazing
( )ecols August 15th
hate it.. what a bout the tree in the last pic? why is the sky behind it still lightblue? you could’ve achieved all those looks through RAW processing, layer blending and gradient overlays. and it would’ve been even better.. Don’t understand the point of that “tool”..
( )Ronny August 15th
I’m a big fan of your tutorials, this site and the entire network of tuts. But this one clearly falls apart your standards. It would have been good if HDR wasn’t mentioned.
While i like the first image due to the amount of added detail, the other 2 are very good examples of what HDR Photography isn’t. 2 looks very good as well, but it’s CGI stuff, not HDR.
Image 3 = dynamics beyond good and bad, halo’s around objects, surreal lightning that imho doesn’t even look good. Everything you can spot on so many bad wannabe HDR shots on the internet which likely seems to become what people assume HDR photography to be.
Pity HDR has become a buzzword like Glitch in electronic music.
( )Ross August 15th
The Lucis filter tends to destroy the quality of the image and I’m sure there are better ways of faking the HDR images but this tutorial does give a nice result.
( )Tom Ross - PSDFAN.com August 15th
I liked the first two images a lot, but the third image just seemed to lose quality to me and look a little blurry. The second closeup image was really impressive though. I wouldn’t mind seeing a tut using just Photoshop without the Filter.
( )Craigsnedeker August 15th
Nice. Big. Tutorial.
( )james August 15th
So what is HDR anyway?
( )Geoff August 15th
I agree with Ronny. LucisArt, ShmucisArt.
( )HDR has been around since the 30’s and 40’s, so I’m still a fan of using triple exposures. Call me extremely old school.
RUGRLN August 15th
Nice stuff but how about a tut on taking real HDR images, that would be really appreciated. This requires a lot of time and effort; not ideal for quick jobs.
( )Narek August 15th
This tutorial is simply awesome.
( )It may not be true HDR, but the effect that we receive by following this tutorial is fantastic.
Chris August 15th
I agree with ecols. I hate it.
These are all effects that can be achieved alternatively.
( )Madalina August 15th
Hardly HDR, but nice effects on the first and second images.
( )The landscape result is nothing but an overprocessed image that doesn’t add anything to the initial bland landscape.
Duluoz August 15th
Another easy way to give shadowy areas a boost of exposure and knock down highlights is to open a photo, duplicate the layer, set the layer mode to overlay, and inverse. If you want a slightly dreamier effect (ghosting from exposure overlap), you can blur the duped layer. Or use the shadow/highlights filter in LAB mode to the lightness channel. Both give you the the same, if not better, quality as Lucas.
( )Binaryseraph August 15th
There is far too much hub-bub about HDR, but I dont think enough people realize its purpose is really for 3d animation/rendering and for more realistic lighting. An HDR image on its own has really no purpose (and really, if you are going to make an HDR image, you should save it as an .HDR filetype so when it is rendered all the data is there. A jpeg that appears like an HDR file does not actually contain all the data)
( )w1sh August 15th
These are pretty hideous.
LucisArt Filter cost money (open source only puh-leez).
Would like an real HDR photography tutorial (use Qtpfsgui, not Photomatix or some other expensive crap plz).
I like the effects produced with this filter on the other site posted earlier:
http://www.blog.bluehourphoto.com/secretweapon.html
Regardless, screw spending money on something.
( )Braden Keith August 15th
What’s HDR?
( )Tom August 15th
HDR stands for high dynamic range–its a photographic technique where you take multiple exposures of the same scene at different exposure values–under and over exposing the scene on purpose. Using software, you combine the image into a 32bit image that you then have to tonemap. Basically it adds more detail to heavy shadows or blown out highlights, as it captures more of the scene. It can be done subtly or surrealistically or cartoonish.
google HDR tutorials, and you’ll find a lot out there. I just got a full book on it!
LucisArt I think is interesting, but can be overdone as in the landscape photograph. It is an example of tonemapping, not HDR.
This site is very design based–it would help you guys tremendously if you hired some actual photographers for your photo tutorials, because I think you lose a touch of credibility…. don’t take that too harsh–I love the site, and your expertise is why I come here. But I’m an amature photographer and some of the photo tutorials here are suspect.
( )bryan August 15th
Good tuts. You can get effects like these by playing around with highpass filters, levels, sharpening, and layer styles. The photographer Dave Hill has a style like this. Check it out.
http://www.davehillphoto.com/
( )insic August 15th
nice. one of my client using this technique in manipulating his photos. and he is good with this.
( )T0m August 15th
Great tut, it took long to load… must be for all the images involved.
Keep it up PSDTuts!
( )Jepper-depper August 15th
Oh my god that plugin is awfully ugly! But well.. the outcome is very good
( )Joefrey Mahusay August 15th
Great tutorial.
( )callmemich August 15th
http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmemich/sets/72157606294655118/
( )my collection
andi August 15th
That’s pretty cool. I think it *is* fairly reminiscent of HDR, of course it’s not exactly the same since you only have the one picture to work with, but it gives that same unusual wacky look to an otherwise plain photo. People who haven’t heard of HDR need to get your camera out and give it a go, as long as it has the setting to take the different exposures in one click then it’s lots of fun.
( )Dan August 15th
Interesting tut, but I would have like to have seen some sort of variant without a plugin
( )Gregory August 16th
Why not use the shadow/highlight adjustment in photoshop instead of Lucis? Save some money and used the tools you already have. Plus that pluggin looks horrible… I would used it just on looks alone!
( )NaldzGraphics August 16th
i love the second one:)great tutorial.thanks for sharing.as always you rock!!!
( )Seraphim Collective August 16th
Thanks a whole lot for this one.
( )Sr. Landy August 16th
good tutorial…. take a look http://www.landylandia.blogspot.com do you like it?
( )Phellipe August 16th
wow! *-*
( )Ali August 17th
Awesome!
( )Bryan Grajales August 17th
Thats coool!
( )Anjum August 17th
very good man
( )Shawn August 20th
Just something that bugs me – it’s Mac. Not MAC. In the computer world, MAC stands for “Media Access Control” and has nothing to do with an individual operating system.
( )Hikaye August 22nd
wowww awesome!!
( )Guzel Sozler August 22nd
thank you
( )Samantha August 22nd
Great tutorial.
Don’t forget people, the tutorial does say “HDR style” not that it is HDR photography.
( )FNj August 28th
First, please, call it – “rly-fked-up-tonemapping style.” That’s its origin I believe. And I have no idea why the hell did you use that custom filters – rly useless ones.
( )Franziska August 29th
I still think the best tutorial for this would be this one: http://tinyurl.com/5f3kjg as it is thorough and does not use expensive filters…
( )Franziska August 29th
PS: or, if you don’t have two images to work on, this Tutorial might do: http://tinyurl.com/59473z
( )sean steezy September 11th
yeah so… lots of critics. damn. well, i hope they choose my tutorial b/c I have a sweet HDR effect using camera raw and a couple photoshop layers to get the bright airbrushed type of HDR, i like that style, personally. When it looks all bright with glowing colors that pop… sweetness.
I wasn’t a fan of this, the filter does look horribly stupid with purple and junk, but I didn’t even try this out b/c the results were bad… no offense. not hatin’.
Anyway, true HDR is complicated and an art form. On the cheating to make it look HDR tip, I had developed a method to do this to any one-shot jpeg using camera raw, one image. It would help those to make banging pics in like 10 minutes. works on anything.
so yeah, pay me for that shizznat, i got bills.
( )Abinav November 13th
sir,this is just great.i love it
can you also please look through this website and do a tutorial on how to process images like this.it would be greatly appreciated
http://www.davehillphoto.com/
( )Designer January 22nd
Why in the world would you use a horrible looking filter like that? You could do the exact same thing with Photoshop’s built-in exposure tools. And to restate what the guy above said, it’s Mac, not MAC.
( )Satori March 8th
This is a great tutorial. I don’t have lucis arts but I know how lucis made their action, so I can do the steps one at a time. Cheers for sharing the creative uses !
( )Al Mansur March 12th
Great tut bro, thnx alooooot..
( )JJ Adkisson July 7th
lucis art cost anywhere from about $395-500 why spend more money when i have Photoshop cs4 extended with camera raw. HDR isnt that impressive anyways =]
( )betsson September 5th
looks so sweett
( )Ricky de la tejera September 14th
Hey this is really awsome!
( )I know a lot of pseudo-photographers who use photshop a a means to hide their defects with fxs.
But this is serious stuff.
Congratulations!!!
I´ll look up some tutorials and I hope someday I too can do that.
Keep up the good work!
marc robinson September 17th
the frist two.. are… hm…. lest say ok…. the third is simply baaaaad…….. i think the overall is overdone…….. and allso there is no need for any plugin.. the same results can be made with photoshop tools….. but i still apreciate the effort… good luck…..
allso am surprised that someone could say that they loved it…… hmmmm o would love to see the works that they make…..
( )iphone kostenlos November 7th
the hdr pics are just amazing! thanks for the tutorial
( )