How am I getting a "hazy" quality to my pics?

[steflite]

Hi everyone,

I have a question that's practically keeping me up all night for a long while now.

I see a lot of pictures on flickr and elsewhere, where the pictures have a slight hazy quality to them. I love that effect, but I have absolutely no clue how to create that. Someone told me it has something to do with the setting of brightness, but I'm not so sure about that.

To know what I mean: Look at this picture for example. Or this one.

I don't even know how to describe it exactly, but I just love that slight hazy effect on those pictures. Does anyone know how to create that?

Thanks and greetings!
steflite

[audiman90]

Try lowering the contrast post production

[edbayani]

on bright images try putting a new layer on top and fill it with white, then reduce the opacity to about 15 or 20%

[SusanH1970]

Also take a look at The CoffeeShop Blog and check out Rita's vintage actions/presets.