How to Edit Pictures for Blemish Removal

Removing blemishes

Perhaps you have a portrait photo of a person that would be just terrific if only you could remove an unsightly blemish. If the picture is from a digital camera, you can remove it using imaging software, such as Photoshop, Paintshop Pro, Corel Paint or the downloadable freeware, Gimp. If the photo you have is a hard-copy print, you have the option of first scanning it on a flatbed scanner to create a digital image file such as a JPEG, and then editing the JPEG in the same manner as described below.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• A digital image editing program and computer
• Access to a printer
• Gloss photo paper for printing (optional)
• Access to a scanner (optional)

1. Selecting the Clone Tool

   Open your image in the editing software program. If you don't have Photoshop, Paintshop Pro or Corel Draw, refer to the link in the Resources section below to download the excellent freeware, Gimp, which has the same tool (the Clone Tool) that the other image editing software programs have. Locate the Clone Tool in the toolbar. For many of the programs, the icon for the tool will look similar to the one pictured here, which is in the Gimp toolbar. If you have difficultly locating the tool, hover over the icon with your cursor and a pop-up note should appear with the tool name and a description.

2. Make Selection with Clone Tool

   The clone tool works with a two-step process. After you select the tool, you must then press and hold the "Alt" key on the bottom row of keys on your keyboard, then left-click on an area of the image that you wish to place the cloned area over. To remove a blemish, you will need to find an area of clear skin close by that has the same texture and lighting as the area of the blemish.

3. Blemish removed

   Move the cursor of your Clone Tool in a small circular area to clone or copy the area of clear, unblemished skin over the blemished area. If you have selected a similarly lighted and textured area, the result should look convincing.

4. Final touches with blur tool

   Use the Blur Tool, as pictured here, to touch-up the the edges of your cloned area. By using small, circular motions of the tool, you can blend the edges for a seamless patch of the cloned area over the former blemish. Save your file and your digital image is ready to print or post electronically.

Resources

• Gimp Digital Image Editor