Attached Link: http://www.renderosity.com/mod/gallery/index.php?image_id=1269837

For digital photography, HDR is a lot of fun, and there is no reason to be intimidated by 3D stuff. Think of it as a way to combine several shots taken at different exposures. This enables a lot more detail in the bright highlights and deep shadows than is normally available. Results can vary from "realistic" to quite strange, almost like a painting.

I'd suggest using a utility like Photomatix rather than Photoshop, as it is easier to use and provides more interesting tone mapping variations. A trial version (with a watermark) can be downloaded for testing. [I've not used the other application mentioned; it may be fine also.]

This was one of my first attempts: http://www.renderosity.com/mod/gallery/index.php?image_id=1269837