To shoot, I set the camera at Aperture-Priority (Av) mode at f/8.0.  Then I activated the AEB function to take 3 shots with an exposure difference of 2 EV (exposure value).  I got 3 virtually identical images: one normal exposure, one underexposed, and one overexposed.

To merge the images together I used Adobe Photoshop CS5:

1. “File” → “Automate” → “Merge to HDR Pro…”
2. Select the 3 images to be merged and click “OK”
   
3. A preview of the composite image will be generated, I checked the “Remove ghosts” check box and click “OK” to complete the HDR image with other settings at default.
   

Below is the composed HDR image without using much effort.

Related posts:

1. Using the Lens Blur Filter in Adobe Photoshop CS
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Fortunately, this effect can be easily accomplished using the lens blur filter in Adobe Photoshop.  I will walk through this using Adobe Photoshop CS3 and a picture of a giraffe which I took during my visit to Metro Zoo.

1. Open the image you want to edit in Photoshop and duplicate the background layer. From the “Window” menu, select “Layers” or press F7.  Right click on “Background” and select “Duplicate Layer…”.  Finally, set the original background layer to invisible by removing the eye.
   

   Duplicate background layer.

2. Click on the “Channels” tab, and click on the “Create new channel” icon at the bottom of the window.  The entire image will become black and a new channel named “Alpha 1″ will be created.  Set the RGB channel to be visible so the image reappears again.
   

   Create new channel.

3. Use whatever tool you please to fill in the shape of the giraffe.  For example I selected to use “Brush Tool” with white foreground color.
   

   In Alpha channel fill in shape of giraffe.

4. Go back to the “Layers” tab, and from the “Filter” menu select “Blur” > “Lens Blur …” to bring up the “Lens Blur” configuration window.  In the “Depth Map” section select “Alpha 1″ from the “Source:” drop down, and check off “Invert”.  In the “Iris” section adjust the “Radius” value to control the strength of the blur.  Click the “OK” button when done.
   

   Set lens blur filter settings.

5. Go back to the “Channels” tab and hide the “Alpha 1″ channel and you have successfully applied the lens blur filter.
   

   Hide Alpha 1 channel.

Before and After Lens Blur Filter

Related posts:

1. Polarize Filter & Macro Lens for My Canon SX10 IS
2. Creating an HDR Image
3. Using Photoshop Filters