High Dynamic Range

This amazingly unique and vibrant photography technique was unknown to me until I was turned onto it by a friend just a year ago. Basically, the process works by compiling anywhere between 2 and upwards of 15 tripod identical shots set at all different exposure levels ranging from very under exposed all the way up to highly washed out.
[An example of an exposure series for input into an HDR algorithm. Wikipedia/CC]

The pictures are compiled using programs like Adobe CS3 or Photomatix where a new image is created which highlights the correct exposure on a huge array of differently exposed areas. The brightest bluest sky exposure is apparent alongside the richest color textures of the darkest shadows of a tree. The result is breathtaking, almost taking on the appearance of an illustration or painting.
An HDR shot in Del Mar California by my BOY, Dillon Morris.]

Often times HDRs have very useful applications other than just making a picture look epic. Photographers use HDR to capture the inside of churches to show the detail of the very bright stain glass with the much darker inside architecture in one image. HDR images are also used to render ultra enriched 3D gaming environments found in many of todays first person shooter games.
[Church detail illuminated by HDR. Photo digitalcameratracker.com