Over the past week I have been learning about HDR Imaging (High dynamic range imaging) and find that the effects are great. There are many different tools that you can use to do this. The one that I prefer is photomatix, its about $100 but works awesome.

What is an HDR Image?

HDR Imaging is a way to take multiple exposures and combined them to make a more dynamic image. Couple of examples of before and afters

As you can see the change in the picture is very extreme.

This image shows that you take a number of shots at different lighting and use a program to combined them.
You can find out more at wikipedia

Here are some of the images I have done

Here are a couple before and after that I made:

Some others that I have been messing with:

Extra Info and how to’s:

Tutorials:
How to create ‘High Dynamic Range’ images using Photomatix
How to Create High Dynamic Range Images

Gallery:
Flickr HDR Pool
Smashing Magazine – 35 Fantastic HDR Pictures