For a dreamlike quality evocative of a memory, try using a vignette blur around your image. The softness creates a nostalgic feeling, and taking away some of the detail makes the image a little more artistic. The contrasting sharpness and softness adds a little interest and mystery to the composition.
The original image is a 3 exposure HDR 0, -2, +2 processed through Nik HDR Efex Pro. When I came across the scene, I had a general idea of the direction I wanted to take the image, emphasizing the wonderful texture, color and detail of this vintage Italian cafe. The subject often determines how the image might be processed, photorealistic, artistic or somewhere in between. The presets in Nik HDR Efex Pro gives the photographer a variety of starting points and directions to work with. You can experiment with a few ideas without taking up a lot of time. Have fun shooting and try something different!
