First, open your choice of Start Image onto [1] Paint Shop Pro 7, 8, 9, X, XI, X2 Photo (Ultimate’s) or [2] Photoshop CS, CS2, CS3, CS4, (Extended’s) workspace.  Then activate the Paint Brush/Brush Tool; and choose a Hard Round Brush.  Now, set the Colour/Materials Palette’s, Foreground Swatch to Solid White.  Then (onto a New Transparent Layer), paint daubs of white paint over the area you would like your mist to be placed.

(For personal results, experiment with different Brush Tips, Opacities and Sizes).

Now, from the top menu, choose Adjust/Blur/Motion Blur - Filter/Blur/Motion Blur.  Then blur your white paint daubs by changing the Motions Blur’s Angle and Distance/Strength to suit your photograph’s Resolution and requirements.  (I am using a photograph that measures 3000 pixels X 2000 Pixels).  Working with Photoshop CS4, I set an Angle of 11 and a Distance of 678.  Now, activate the Gaussian Blur command, and again, select settings that are suitable for your photograph’s needs. I chose a Gaussian Blur Radius of 18.

Now, intensify your mist by right-clicking the Mist Layer and choosing Duplicate Layer from the subsequent drop-down list.  Then further blur your mist by applying a second Gaussian Blur.

Note
For personal results, experiment with different Blur Commands, Layer Opacities, and Layer Blending Modes.

(The Radial Blur command produces soft blurs).

Tip
Using the Eraser Tool and setting a Soft Round Brush, remove any area of mist so to reveal any foliage; for example, water plants that might be peeping out of the mist.

When you are completely happy with your mist, Flatten the Layers and save your work.

Best Wishes.

[3] Wendi E M Scarth.  22 October 2009.

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