Step 1: Open up a stock image in Photoshop of any size and/or format. The best results for this tutorial usually involve large images with a generally high brightness.  Dark areas tend to end up MUCH darker as a result of adding the effect, and may require additional adjustment later.

Step 2: With the background layer selected in the layers palette, choose Layer > Duplicate Layer from the main menu.  Select the new duplicated layer in the layers palette (it will be the one on top), and run Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur, with a setting of 8px.   The value of the blur should be altered to suit the size of your image.  If, for example, you have a large image, a setting of 8px to 10px will be sufficient, but for smaller pictures you may have to go down to 1px.

Step 3: With the top layer still active, go to the layers palette, set the blending mode to Overlay, and lower the opacity to 50-60%.    And that's it - you can now admire your vibrant and dreamy image!

Optional: If you require a more precise effect you can go into Image > Adjustments > Levels and move the black/white triangles towards each other a little. This will make the glow more suitable for nature pictures and those with few areas of dark colour. If your result ends up too dark in the preview, you may need to play around with these values a little. Adjustment of levels is a complex subject, and best left as a seperate tutorial. Here's a little something I made earlier by using the main technique above, and then this little optional step:

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yes quick, easy, very useful!! I need this

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nice tutorial, very simple and fast with great effects

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great effect..very usefull

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thats hilarious...three steps for such a huge effect...nice one.

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i always wonder why those pl can make picture bcome so nice with rich tone,now my clear already,thanks for ur tutorial ^^

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