Single image HDR toning effect

I came across this technique the other day and thought I'd give it a try.

I tried it first on a portrait and it looked pretty bad - too bad to publish - but it doesn't look as bad on a landscape picture.

This effect is basically created using the HDR toning selection from the Adjustments menu.  You need to be a little more conservative in your adjustments to the slider as they have more of a harsh effect on your image than when you merge HDR.

Here's the before and after.

Original

HDR effect

I think I would have to say that I prefer the original.  I find the HDR effect a little unrealistic in this instance.  It might have a painterly quality to it but I personally like the dreaminess of the water and the overall softness in the first image.  

However, this exercise showed me a way to create an HDR effect post capture when you have only soft a single image.