Dynamic Range Increase

This will simulate the effect of using a graduated neutral density filter

The advantage to doing it on the computer is that you can make the horizon non-linear, whereas with a grad ND filter, the horizon cannot have tightly kinked edges.

To do this, you must first obtain two shots of exactly the same thing. The two shots should have their exposures varied so that the main elements of the photo are properly exposed in at least one of the shots. I used autoexposure braketing (+/- 1.66 stops) and average metering. I ended up with three shots but i only used the underexposed and overexposed shots.

Then, in Photoshop, I laid the darker photo over the lighter photo. Then i gave it a layer mask hiding its entirety. Then i erased the areas of the mask which were too dark (from the foreground). This requires meticulous attention to detail and usually high magnification of the image.

I have heard that this technique was done by many other photographers, so i do not claim to be the exclusive owner of it.

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[link] Here's a higher res version of the final product

[link] Here's a walkthrough of the process if you so wish to look