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Create a Dreamy Photo Effect with Photoshop Elements

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Copy Merged and Add Solid Fill Layer

Layers palette

Here's how the layers palette should look after this step.

Up to this point we've done our work without ever altering the original photo. It's still there, unchanged in the background layer. In fact, you can hide the Soften layer to remind you what the original looked like. But for the next step we need to merge our layers into one. Rather than using the merge layers command, I'm going to use copy merged and keep those layers intact.

To do this, do Select > ALL (Ctrl-A) then Edit > Copy Merged then Edit > Paste. You will have a new layer at the top of the layers palette. Double click on the layer name and call it Dreamy Merged.

From the New Adjustment layer menu, choose "Solid Color..." and drag the cursor up to the top left corner of the color picker for a pure white color fill. Click OK. Drag this layer below the "Dreamy Merged" layer in the layers palette.

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