Learn how to use Photoshop to add a dreamy fog effect to any photo. This Photoshop tutorial will teach you how to use several layers to create a realistic fog effect that appears thicker in the distance.

Preview of Final Results

Fog Photoshop Tutorial

Step 1: Open an image into Photoshop

Open a photo that you would like to add a fog effect to into Photoshop.

Step 2: Create a Solid Color layer

In the Layers pallet, click on the New Adjustment Layer icon and select Solid Color. A window should appear where you can select a color. Select white as the color as click OK.

Step 3: Reduce the opacity

A new layer called Color Fill 1 should appear. Reduce the opacity of this layer to 50%.

Step 4: Select the Gradient tool

Select the Gradient tool from the toolbar. If you cannot find it, look for the Paint Bucket tool, click and hold on it, and a menu should appear where you can select the Gradient tool. Once you have the Gradient tool selected, the option bar should change to allow you to set the settings of the tool. Apply these settings:

Gradient: White to Black
Gradient Type: Linear
Mode: Normal
Opacity: 100%

Step 5: Add a gradient

Before we add a gradient, make sure that you have the layer mask selected. To do this, simply click on the thumbnail of the layer mask in the Layers pallet. Once the layer mask is selected, click on the horizon of your photo, press and hold the shift key, and drag a straight line to the bottom. By holding the shift key, the line that you draw will remain straight. The shift key also works for other Photoshop tools such as the Move or Transform tool.