Dreamy Effect

Step 1 - Wake up!

This tutorial is more complex then a Gaussian Blur with overlay on it as most dream tutorials do. This effect can be placed on any image with a few more steps added to the process. Take a look a the before & after.

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Step 2 - Picking out a Photo

For this step, all you have to do is simple find a photograph. Find one that fits the theme. I decided to choose someone resting or sleeping since it is really a dream effect. I encourage you not to choose a dark picture, because it won't show up as good.

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Step 3 - Image Adjustments

Start off by creating a new document and inserting the image cropped properly. Then duplicate the layer once. Now go up to the top of your Adobe Photoshop window and find Image > Adjustments > Auto Color. This will fix the colors a little bit (hence that this can be used on any image).

After that, go back to the top and find Image > Adjustments > Desaturate. Now the image should be on a greyscale.

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Step 4 - Gaussian Blur

Now, after you have the image adjustments set up right, time to blur the image up. To do this, let's go to Filters > > Blur > Gaussian Blur. Change the radius to 5px. Note: At the end of this tutorial, if your image doesn't look so good, try going back to this step and changing the pixels down a little.

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Step 5 - Finish it off

Now simply take that layer with all the effects on it and change the Blending mode to Overlay. Now your finished! Take a look at it, doesn't look that dreamy? Try duplicating the layer with all the effects and lowering the opacity on it until your satisfied! Or go back a few steps and try again.

Click to enlarge

Here's another result i accomplished with a different picture:

Congratulations, your finished! Here's a copy of the .psd file. Enjoy!