How to Retouch a Photograph Using the Clone Stamp in Photoshop

It is fairly easy to clean up a photograph with dust spots and scratches on it using the Clone Stamp tool in Photoshop. All you just need a bit of time and patience.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Adobe Photoshop
• Computer
• Scanner
• Dusty or Scratched Photograph

1. Scan your photograph and save it.

2. Open your photograph in Photoshop.

3. Zoom in on your photograph to the area you want to repair.

4. Select the "Clone Stamp" tool from the Photoshop tool box. If you are not sure which tool it is, slowly scroll over the tools with your mouse. The names of each tool will pop up.

5. When the Clone Stamp is selected, a "brush sizes" window will open. Select a brush size (the circle of your clone stamp when you scroll over the photograph) that is SMALLER than the dust speck. Choose a brush size with a "fuzzy" edge. This will help you with blending.

6. While holding down the "Alt" key (PC) or "Option" key (Mac), left click on an area of the photograph very near to your dust speck that is the same color your spot SHOULD be.

7. Scroll your mouse back over the dust spot and left click on it.

8. Repeat these steps several times until your dust speak is filled in.

Tips & Warnings

• You can use this same method to fix large areas and scratches.
• For a scratch, start at one end of the scratch and work slowly, being careful to match your colors with those close in tone to the area you are filling in.
• For a large spot, start at the outer edge of the area to be filled in and work your way to the middle.
• Save your work often, and save your original scan as well.