Hey there,
I'm certainly not a photoshop guy. I really want to learn more, I am trying to track down a course or two. BUT, I figured maybe someone might be able to help me out.

I think my photos really need a punch up. Different levels for different work, but I need some new tricks to amp up the level of my work.

One look I've always liked it's this kind of thing:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34999025@N05/3911542219/

NO idea what to call that. (I also realize that's not a model) but how do you do that to an image? The way this effect looks on people is very cool.

I have a few other curiousities... (other than my spelling) but I'll harass someone with that if they're really excited to show me more.

I really appreciate it.

Thanks

Will

Its called HDR photography. HDR stands for High Dynamic Range. Put simply, the technique is to have multiple shots in different exposures then combined into 1. Sounds simple....and it sorta is, but its easier to make a bad HDR image

He seem to lightpaint, as indicated by all the lightpaint pools he is in. That is usually the opposite of HDR  eg. you use one long exposure and multiple flashes, or a flashlight that you "paint" with. It can make for some really nice effects.

Here is an example of a fruitbasket, lit with a Flashlight. Normally a Flashlight will produce very harsh and sharp shadows, but by having a long exposure ( 15 seconds or so ) and constantly moving the lighsource you get nice very sof shadows.



With HDR (  its really the Tonemapping part that makes the "HDR" effect, enhancing micro contrast etc ), the dynamic range is not extended in these 8 bit jpg's we see on web, but they are tonemapped to simulate it.
There are good softwares like Photomatix, but you can also do it in Photoshop with Merge to HDR.
Heres a "HDR" example. A couple of different exposures, blended in Photomatix.