How to take those high-res contrasted photos?

I'm wondering how you do a certain effect (lighting, camera settings, photoshop tutorial) used in the promo of the show "Swamp People" and in the photo of Julian Smith when you start up his iPhone app. I know these are very odd examples. I would try to find more but I don't know what this type of photography is called. If anyone can find a tutorial or at least figure out the name of this type of photography that would be great.

Thanks in advance!

Added (1). To be more specific, I'm looking for the effect where you can see all of the pores in the mans face due to the high contrast.

Have a strong lighting on the side of the face. The distance of the lighting must be near, it also helps if the light source size (but not intensity) is smaller.

Basically, get a flash w/o diffuser and place it at the side of your face, pointed at you.

Other than that, hiking up the "Clarity" slider in Lightroom will also do. Using a camera's flash helps it produce a sharp image.

I don't know exactly what 'effect' you are after, not being familiar with the examples you gave (if you could post examples of still images that you want to copy, that would help).

Generally though, you start with an image taken with a good prime lens and very good lighting.

You can then enhance small details (like pores) in post using HDR software or plug-ins like Topaz Adjust, which has settings for enhancing small details.

You can also selectively sharpen areas using the sharpen tool.

This is an example of low key lighting, taken with a 50mm lens;

it has not had any 'effects' applied to it, although I could have used something like Topaz Adjust if I'd wanted to enhance the facial stubble. It was lit using a single Nikon SB600 speedlight camera left (bare) manually @ 1/16 power, triggered by RF602's (radio triggers to fire the flash 'off camera').

The effect you are looking for could be the Dragan Effect. There are tons of tutorials on line for that, which you would use would depend upon your program used. Harsh side lighting enhances this effect. Also, any filters with a faux HDR look, such as the previously mentioned Topaz Adjust would work fine.