Alright, let me share an easy tips how to get a soft looking photo. With just 4 basic steps in Photoshop, you can get something like this:
Before and after (click for larger image)
Alright, you can use any photos/images that you like, but for this tutorial you can use the "before" image above. Enter this URL in your browser to download: http://s22.photobucket.com/albums/b310/mysterye/?action=view¤t=PST-1.jpg
Or, download here.
Open the image in Photoshop, then duplicate the layer (for example, I call this layer as "Layer 0"). You can duplicate the layer by drag the layer you want to duplicate to Create New Layer button in the bottom. Or, go to Layer >> Duplicate Layer with the layer that you want to duplicate selected.
Set the blending mode for new layer ("Layer 0 Copy") as Overlay.
With "Layer 0 Copy" selected, go to Filter >> Blur >>Gaussian Blur.
Check the Preview box so you can see the different. Set the Radius to anything you like. Remember, don't make it too big, or the result won't be good (it depends on your image size). It's DONE! Pretty simple, isn't it? ^^
But wait! You can edit it more, like change the Layer 0 Copy into Greyscale (Image >> Adjustment >> ...
