Fake High Dynamic Range (HDR) images with GIMP

I love the way this picture of Connor came out when I first took it. But with this new technique, it really made for a great shot! This is the first picture I've used this method on, but I was so excited I thought i would share. I've always been impressed by HDR pictures and thought I needed an expensive digital SLR and an ability to shoot in RAW to create one. But with the help of Google and a little luck, I was able to come across a way to do it ghetto style. And for those that know me, the more ghettoerest the bettererest! The following video shows how to improve images dramatically with GIMP. Although this isn't truly HDR, it does create vivid images.
I've found that scenery and fish are enhanced well by this technique. But hero shots and portraits do not come out as well because skin tone is too unnatural. In the last picture with Kyle's snagged brookie, the original thumbnail looks better, but once the pictures are viewed at larger size the Fake HDR is much better.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS2

I've ruined two cameras while fishing after taking a misstepped plunge into the water. The last victim was a Casio Exilim I killed last summer. I've been using a Canon I borrowed from my dad since July, but didn't really like it. I really wanted a camera that could take abuse and still produce good picture quality. To make matters worse, I also needed good video because this was to be the family camera to document my two runt's childhood. I narrowed my choices down to the Panasonic TS2 and the Sony TX5. But the Panasonic was $60 cheaper and rated to have better video so I pulled the trigger last night. I hope it's as good as advertised. There seems to be some really cool features that I'm excited to try out. With this new toy I can add more to fisheatflies, which has been non-existent for quite a while. I've been hard at work at the vise and I want to share my creations with the general public.