Too much haze? Not enough?

[CJG Photo]

Hi there,  

 

I love a dreamy, hazy quality to photos but I think it's easy to get carried away.  How do I know when enough is enough?  For this photo, I captured it on an overcast day.  Used lens flare, a warm gradient, and layers in PS to achieve this final look.  Any advice?  Is there another tool I should be using for this type of photo?  

 

Thanks!

[Damien Symonds]

Hi Chrissy, can you provide me with links to hazy photos you admire?

[CJG Photo]

https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.birthmattersnyc.com%2Findex%2F2_asian-family_michaelkormos.png&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.birthmattersnyc.com%2F&docid=0_ebmHlob-9f6M&tbnid=RYw9x3zTaR1shM%3A&w=739&h=441&client=safari&bih=807&biw=1438&ved=0ahUKEwif9bPTiILOAhULVj4KHfoIChUQMwhcKDQwNA&iact=mrc&uact=8

Here are just a few that caught my eye.  Sorry - I'm not sure how to simply copy and paste the images.  I'm sure it's a copyright issue.  Thanks!

 

https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fs3-media1.fl.yelpcdn.com%2Fbphoto%2F7fLwL9BJnUMmPHNVqAZj4Q%2Fls.jpg&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.yelp.com%2Fbiz%2Fmichael-kormos-photography-la-jolla&docid=2DM3yGsP-aN8VM&tbnid=Te_Z-Pwt92SeXM%3A&w=250&h=250&client=safari&bih=807&biw=1438&ved=0ahUKEwif9bPTiILOAhULVj4KHfoIChUQMwh7KFIwUg&iact=mrc&uact=8

 

 

https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.michaelkormos.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2010%2F11%2Flil_ones_1.jpg&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.michaelkormos.com%2F_lilones&docid=FWZgMn4T2zHRdM&tbnid=be2JuT5zCljRfM%3A&w=1025&h=680&client=safari&bih=807&biw=1438&ved=0ahUKEwjv1J3ciILOAhULPT4KHdo3A144ZBAzCAkoBjAG&iact=mrc&uact=8

 

https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcache4.asset-cache.net%2Fgc%2F155013398-hazy-backlit-image-of-cute-girl-smiling-gettyimages.jpg%3Fv%3D1%26c%3DIWSAsset%26k%3D2%26d%3Dn%2BX1hOEMiiVg%2Bf8xHsDrL0DlAiDft2R7sFFPN8Tsyso2UFD4fEkhWysRkMHnhHZQ&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gettyimages.com%2Fdetail%2Fphoto%2Fhazy-backlit-image-of-cute-girl-smiling-royalty-free-image%2F155013398&docid=O0c-FImbvbEweM&tbnid=IkGHzKFEgkeHjM%3A&w=507&h=338&client=safari&bih=807&biw=1438&ved=0ahUKEwir_LPziILOAhWCED4KHRXLAGsQMwgeKAAwAA&iact=mrc&uact=8

 

https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fdrscdn.500px.org%2Fphoto%2F62278329%2Fm%3D900%2F0517111cb350f8113a4737ca94a25c8a&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fiso.500px.com%2Fbacklight-natural-light-portrait-photo-tutorial%2F&docid=Or4_uc9335UU5M&tbnid=pE66jB0dDtYMCM%3A&w=900&h=643&client=safari&bih=807&biw=1438&ved=0ahUKEwir_LPziILOAhWCED4KHRXLAGsQMwhxKEgwSA&iact=mrc&uact=8

 

 

[Damien Symonds]

Yeah, the big thing that's missing from your photo, that's present in the others, is the depth of field blur.

Do you have another photo of your own, with a better blurred background, that we can work with?