A softened focus

• duplicate the layer
• gaussian blur (7 pixels or so)
• blend layers with 'lighten'
• ...or try 'darken' for a more hand drawn look

Washed out / ethereal look

• Hue/Saturation - set saturation to -70
• Bright/Contrast - set bright to 15, contrast to -15
• then do the 'softened focus' steps

More colorful / contrasty (author called it 'Lomo')

• Hue/Saturation - set saturation to 15
• Bright/Contrast - set bright to 10, contrast to 10
• New layer, set blend mode to 'soft light'
• Fill with gradient
  • White foreground, black backgroung
  • Radial tool (second gradient tool)
  • Draw from image center to edge

Too much flash?

• Make a copy of the layer
• Use the 'Multiply' blend layer mode
• Repeat, and fine tune using opacity

-- MattWalsh - 16 Jan 2004