are you using 2 or more of the same shots in different lighting or trying to do HDR by simply adjusting the contrast of one image to simulate HDR?

another thing that helps is to shoot in RAW (NEF) because the file contains all of the image data rather than a compressed version (jpg) if your camera takes NEF/RAW photos, you'll notice that the raw eats up way more space than a jpg simply because it's uncompressed.

the next step is to use auto-bracketing (if your camera has it). Autobracketing automatically adjusts the timing of the shutter so you get various steps in exposure. You DON"T want to adjust the f/stop because that adjusts focal lenght since that whacks out what is and isn't in focus. The time the shutter is open, however, keeps the same focus but allows for different exposures. AE bracketing does this for you.

get a good tripod. It's difficult to take a series of shots in the exact same position without one.

and simply tone down the overprocessness. It's easy to go overboard...i've certainly done it way more times than I care to admit to. If it looks unnatural, then it's unnatural and typically unapplealing to the eye. HDR is great for exposing highlights which simply couldn't be done otherwise.

here's a example of how it can be used to help a picture out

The contrast of the dark sky on the right and light coming in on the left would make shooting this shot a nighmare without doing some post processing work. The highlists and detail of the dock would definately be lost otherwise or the rest of the picture would have been blown out in order to expose them. But..there's a nice mix heere where detail can be seen throughout without blowing out the colors and details otherwise.

I'm also slightly more drunk than earlier, forgot what I was doing...and still don't know a whole lot about photography. But..I was on a photography FB page like 2 years ago, so...there's that.