Cheers, Hoofd!

You're right, Captain Jack, there is a bit or pre-processing to be done in Photoshop. The figure is usually isolated and placed on a black background then the brightness/contrast is altered to highlight the details.

After that though, you've lost me. I think it might be out of my league....
I've tried to use a heigth/displacement map in 3DSMax but all I get it a raised-but-flat moutain. Like a plateau! Not exactly the desired effect.

Thanks for your help, lads.