Tutorial: Creating High Dynamic Range Graphics

That’s right, H D R! Perfect as a starting point for creating icons that jump out and bite you!

* This tutorial, as far as I know, is only suitable for Photoshop CS2
* Please be aware that it’s image heavy.
* You can click each thumbnail to get a full size image/effect.

We’re going from:

to:

.

* Open the image/screencap you wish to work with

* Filter --> Sharpen

* Image --> Duplicate. Do this twice so you have the original image and two copies
* Save the original image: File --> Save As. Call it “2.jpg” with Quality = 12 (maximum)
* Close the original image. File --> Close

Working with the 1st image copy

* Layer --> Duplicate
* Set the duplicate layer to Screen (100% opacity)
* Duplicate the Screen layer (you now have 3 layers)
* Layer --> Flatten Image

* File --> Save As. Call it “1.jpg” with Quality = 12 (maximum)
* Close this image. File --> Close

Working with the 2nd image copy

* Layer --> Duplicate
* Set the duplicate layer to Multiply (100% opacity)
* Duplicate the Multiply layer (you now have 3 layers)
* Layer --> Flatten Image

* File --> Save As. Call it “3.jpg” with Quality = 12 (maximum)
* Close this image. File --> Close

To create High Dynamic Range

* File --> Automate --> Merge to HDR
* Click the browse button and hold the ctrl key down to select all three images you’ve just created --> Open
* Click OK
* The “Manual Set EV” dialogue box appears.

Adjusting the EV Settings

Image 1 (the “Screen” layer)

* EV --> 4
* Click the right arrow button to get to image 2.

Image 2 (the original)

* EV --> 0
* Click the right arrow button to get to image 3.

Image 3 (the “Multiply” layer)

* EV --> -4
* Click OK (you may have to click the left arrow so that OK is enabled)

The merged file will appear in the next screen. Don’t change anything, just click OK.

Next steps

* Image --> Mode --> 16 Bits/Channel
* Method --> Local Adaptation