How to Remove Dust, Specks, and Blemishes from Photos Using Photoshop

Member

By nethopperz
User-Submitted Article

Article Rating:

(6 Ratings)

This picture of Sadie needs a little TLC!

When restoring old photographs using Photoshop, often dust, specks, and blemishes disfigure otherwise beautiful works of art. This article will explain a few easy methods for removing these imperfections.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

computer
Photoshop (CS version used in this example)
digital copy of photograph.

Step 1

A close-up view of a problem area.

Open your photograph using Adobe Photoshop. The tools used in this article should be available no matter which version of Photoshop is used. Find the problem area on the photograph with dusk and specks. Use the zoom tool to take a closer look at the area.
Step 2

Correction made using smudge tool.

If the imperfection is small and also if the background is mostly a solid color with minimal texture, the smudge tool may be used to make a speck of dust or a blemish disappear.
Step 3

Using copy/paste method to cover problem area.

Some areas of the photo may have too much texture or definition and the smudge tool will not work without leaving an obvious trail. For areas like these, use the lasso tool and copy portions of the background which look similar to what the area behind the blemish should look like. Copy a piece of the background and then paste and move it into place. Some rotation or scaling may need to be done to complete the edit.
Step 4

The finished product!

Continue these methods until the picture is free of dust, specks, and blemishes. Zoom in close and inspect the photo for mistakes. Adjust contrast and color balance as needed.

Comments

vallain said

Flag This Comment

on 7/29/2008 I really need to move up from Adobe Photoshop Album Starter to this so I can have these tools. It would help when I take pictures through the car window:
http://www.ehow.com/how_4447659_photos-car.html