In the April issue of Outdoor Photographer, George Lepp cites a technique for obtaining HDR images from a single image. The technique was introduced as "Single Image HDR, Parts I and II" by Ron Berard on www.usa.canon.com/dlc. I didn't check the reference but I tried Lepp's description. Select an image that is reasonably OK for exposure. Then open additional versions of this image from the RAW original at +2 and -2 stops. Then combine the three images with Photomatix. My result was pretty cool.

Shown below are the original jpeg; a post-processed version of it from RAW; the output of Photomatix based on the original and images at -2 and +2 stops from RAW; and the latter after adjusting Levels sliders (but nothing else, and NO saturation). I think that it's a more dramatic image; there is more contrast in the waves and I like the brightness on the ocean behind the waves.

You can see larger versions of the thumbnails by clicking on them.