Removing Blemishes & background images

[Robin]

I'm using PS7 and I've tried using the clone stamp to get rid of blemishes, but I only make it worse by leaving more blemishes! What is the best way to do this? Particularly red spots on a baby's face! I seem to be smuding the face even more! lol

Also, how do I get rid of unwanted items in the background?

One more thing...what is the best way to use the clone stamp when a photo has say an arm cut off and you want to put another arm there?

Please respond with exact steps. Thank You so much!

[Pam]

There are some great tutorials (link at the top of each page) - I see this one (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/university/tutorials/ps_fullphotobkgrnd.shtml) that explains use of the clone brush to change the background. There are many for Photoshop (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/university/tutorials/tutorials.shtml#PS) that explain brushes, also. This tutorial (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/university/tutorials/psp_extracting.shtml) explains removing a background, but is for Paint Shop Pro (the method remains the same, however the tools may look a bit different). You can request tutorials, as well.

[andyapc]

Robin - I use PSCS2 (and used to use PSCS) so hopefully this is the same in PS7. Whenever I use the clone brush, I always use my airbrush soft round 300 brush (should be in the default brushes). Then I zoom in - usually to actual pixel size or even more, and then proceed to clone. I frequently change the size of my brush (by hitting the "[" or "]" key) depending on the size of spot I'm trying to remove. And I always make sure that I change my source spot frequently, to give it more of a blended look.

Another favorite tool of mine is the patch tool - that tool is just simply amazing. I don't know all the ins and outs and/or options of it yet, so I just use the basic method - outline my area and drag it around until I get a result I like.

I use the clone stamp all the time to get rid of background distractions - or I just blur the background slightly, or I just extract the subject and make a new background.

As for the arm thing ... that I haven't even tried yet!

[Lauren]

Now its a while since i used ps7 but im pretty sure it has a healing brush as well as a clone brush - for blemishes the healing brush is much more effective - the main thing to remember tho if it doesnt have that healing brush is to use a soft edged brush - not a hard edged brush - When removing things from the background you may find copying and pasting a feathered selection works better than the clone brush ( for larger items you wish to hide)

[Robin]

THANK YOU THANK YOU!! I am going to try working on this! I'm sure it will just take some manipulating and working with, but at least I have a place to start! Thanks so much! Have a great day! Hugs~

[Starling]

Don't forget the regular brush too. You still use that soft brush with the feathering and move it bigger and smaller with [ and ] as you go. If you Alt-click with the regular brush the eyedrop tool appears and it picks up the color at the point you Alt-clicked.

I use PS CS and I use all three tools. Sometimes one works better than another.

Zoom in close. That is a very good hint Andy gave you. Keep changing the size of the brush. Keep changing where you picked up the Alt-click spot no matter which brush works.

Start by duplicating the photo. Then work on a separate layer using the Use All Layers option. That allows you to blur that separate layer and/or lower opacity. If you make a mistake on the separate layer and just hate it, you can throw it away. If you keep adding new separate layers, you can blur, lower opacity and throw away without losing everything you have done and STILL not touch the original photo. Also, when you are done you can Merge Linked to the duplicated layer and glausian blur and/or lower opacity on that one too. It gives you even more control.

[Robin]

How can you tell which one is the "soft" brush? All my brushes just show shapes and then you can increase the size....it doesn't show 300 soft round brush??

[Lauren]

A soft brush looks all soft round the edges in the preview - but if you hover your mouse over the brush it will usually pop up the name.

[Robin]

where would I find the soft one? Under wet media, faux finish, special effects, natural? I'm not finding one called that. Thank You!

[Lauren]

These are in teh default set - usually right up the top

[Starling]

In the default set of brushes, the hard brushes are first, and there are a bunch of them. They are followed by the soft brushes which look like they have a little halo around them if you are seeing them in brush tip in the brushes pallet. Just pick a larger one, but you can always make them bigger and smaller with the [ and ] keys. Those work on all brushes, erasers, clones etc. -- anything that uses the brush pallet.

The healing brush in CS is a bit different, but you can get a soft edge on that one too with the sliders.

You want the soft edge when you are doing things to people's faces. It generally helps when you are doing things to backgrounds too.