
1. Import the photograph in Lightroom
2. Create 2 virtual copies of the photograph
3. On one virtual copy, increase exposure of the photograph to ensure that darker areas are well lit.
4. Underexpose the other virtual copy, to ensure that we have some details in brighter parts of the image.
These are most critical steps because the amount of exposure you increase or decrease has major contribution towards final output. More accurately you do that, better results you get.
5. (Trick) - Export these virtual copies as actual photographs. I wish Lightroom had given me this option without export :). But I can understand that ideal workflow should have actual photographs clicked in bracketing mode, so no sweat. After exporting, import these 3 photographs into Lightroom.
6. Select these 3 photographs, right click and go to 'Photo Merge - HDR'.
7. It would launch HDR Processing dialog.
Now you know how to use this dialog to create HDR output for your photograph :). Hope you like the trick. Just try it out and feel free to drop your questions/suggestions through comments below.
Few more samples -
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