When you get into photography you almost immediately find out that taking a photo is only half of the job. The other one is editing it, and photographer Peter Stewart shows us what an enormous difference it makes.

In his “Before & After” post-processing comparison, you’ll see an image that seems recognizable, but also a little surreal. The photographer uses a technique called bracketed multiple exposures, which allows him to take details beyond human vision, from differently exposed shots and later stack them together into one picture. Depending on the situation, he sometimes adds details from different scenes for a more dramatic result.

Purists would say that editing like that takes the skill away from actual photography, but in his interview with PetaPixel Stewart says: “These Before & After samples are simply meant to highlight what can be done with the power of Photoshop, and as such, I have deliberately provided the most dramatic examples.”

To those wondering what software Stewart uses, he says: “All post-production work has been carried out in Photoshop, utilizing a variety of editing techniques and plug-ins such as Nik Color Efex & Silver Efex Pro, VSCO Film and Topaz DeNoise.“

More info: peter stewart | 500px | instagram | flickr (h/t: petapixel)