Help! Post Processing noob.

[AnonymousKiwi1]

So, complete noob with Photoshop. I've used LeeR's excellent tutorial to learn about levels, dabbled in the 'curves' tutorial, and can manage the Heal tool. Now I need a tip on fixing a spot that Heal doesn't seem to deal with. There's a smudge on the tuba (? - I think. Don't know my brass band instruments too well) just at the reflection of the musicians collar and lapel. I can't seem to make it go away. Any suggestions??

[natek313]

Wow. You are awfully picky! Haha. I wouldn't have noticed it if you didn't point it out.

Try using the clone stamp tool (shortcut key is "S") instead of the heal tool. Alt+Left Click selects the sample that you want to clone from. Then left-click to place the cloned area where you want it.

Make sense?

[vsa]

Took me a good minute or two to spot it with the instructions. I wouldn't worry about it but it's probably easier to just paint with a normal brush than cloning.



I just sampled the colors from nearby and splashed some dots here and there with low opacity to mimic the noise.

[AnonymousKiwi1]

Originally Posted by vsa

Took me a good minute or two to spot it with the instructions. I wouldn't worry about it but it's probably easier to just paint with a normal brush than cloning.



I just sampled the colors from nearby and splashed some dots here and there with low opacity to mimic the noise.

Originally Posted by natek313

Wow. You are awfully picky! Haha. I wouldn't have noticed it if you didn't point it out.

Try using the clone stamp tool (shortcut key is "S") instead of the heal tool. Alt+Left Click selects the sample that you want to clone from. Then left-click to place the cloned area where you want it.

Make sense?

Thank you both. I'll have a play around with your suggestions.

I know it's not too obvious at this size, but when the pics full size on the screen your eye goes straight to the reflection - it's the bit I like best about the whole picture. I also am planning to get this printed with a bunch of others I took at a local event and giving them to our Returned Services Association, so I want it spot on.
If only the musician had cleaned his instrument before he came out to play, I wouldn't be in this predicament!

[AnonymousKiwi1]

natek313 and vsa, thank you for your tips. I've played around with brushes and cloning, all the while learning about opacity of layers, here's the result. It might not be perfect, but I think it'll do. I may have been the only one to notice the smudge anyway.