Enhancing light rays, or reflections in post processing

Evening! I see a lot of images with amazing rays of light breaking through the clouds , as well as stunning reflections in the water or upon glass, are these captured in the shot? or added in post processing, or are they just part of the image and enhanced
Wishing you well as always carl

This was enhanced in PP

that's a wow from me, Is it hdr or what did you do to enhance the image.

love it James

wish i lived by the sea Because that's where my heart is
Only get to photography the sea about 3hour a year. I love the little ports, beaches and the roar,light and the energy of the sea.

hoo hoo I can smell it

Thank you for the Excellent image

polarizer is your friend....

Circular polarizer, and played around with the curves in post to enhance the contrast and bring out the 'god rays'. No HDR, pseudo or real, just one of those moments where I looked out to sea, and thought "that's a shot, I'll need to bring that out..."

Thanks for the comments, it was one of those shots that I think 'works', and came from a lovely Family Christmas in Devon.

i will post the pic i am trying to edit later on thanks for the feedback

I took several shots with a really strong Sun Ray effect above an Avro Lancaster at Greenham Common on Kodachrome 64 many years ago so it can occur naturally if you are lucky! but it is possible these days to add or enhance the effect post capture and can look completely natural.

Regards - Pete.