PLease help remove a gray spot (with PSP9 or similar)

[Torsti2003z]

Hi, I have this problem with Olympus SP-600UZ digital camera. I don't know if there is fault in the lens (guy at the photo shop said: no), or if the zoom mechanics has sucked some dirt inside the camera (thats what the guy said). Anyway, I cannot afford to get it repaired. Don't want to really, as its fairly new camera, and very good for me in other respects.

So, the problem is small darkened area in center area of picture. The error is so small, that in most pictures it cannot be seen, especially if that area of picture is darkish. But if the background is light, the spot is very visible:



I have PaintShopPro9 (and Gimp but can't really use it). I understand I can with PSP9 create and save a mask (?), that I can then apply to any photo I like to correct. Then I could even do a batch run with that to fix hundreds of photos same time.

But I just cannot figure how to do this! I have not used layers and such much.

So, if someone please could hint me how to create this thing in PSP9.. or give link to someplace I can find step-by-step explanation of that. Or maybe advice me some better program for postprocessing photos. I would be very grateful.

[baycruisers]

No need to create a mask.

Create a duplicate layer. (Not absolutely necessary but a good safety step.)
On the duplicated layer:
Select the clone brush and set a soft, circular brush size just a bit larger than the dust spot.
Set the opacity to 60-70% and select an area near the dust spot with identical appearance.
Click on the dust spot with your clone brush. 1-3 clicks should erase it.
With a little practice you can do this in under a minute.

If it's a dust spot on the camera's high pass filter it probably won't be visible except in certain circumstances. It may be easier to clone it out then get the camera repaired.

[Torsti2003z]

@baycruisers, thank you, with those setting the editing is really quite fast, and result is easily good too. I will use it when fixing singular photo.

Yet.. I am looking for a way to do this in more mechanical way, as there will be propably hundreds of pictures that need editing. If the picture size is always same, I can record a script in PSP, and then batch run it for several pictures. This cloning method is not quite good for that.

Now I'm pondering if I could just use that model photo, and use maybe the Lighten/Darken Brush to fade the dark spot near surrounding color, and record all the strokes. Only problem is its somewhat hard to do well.

[baycruisers]

Originally Posted by Torsti2003z

@baycruisers, thank you, with those setting the editing is really quite fast, and result is easily good too. I will use it when fixing singular photo.

Yet.. I am looking for a way to do this in more mechanical way, as there will be propably hundreds of pictures that need editing. If the picture size is always same, I can record a script in PSP, and then batch run it for several pictures. This cloning method is not quite good for that.

Now I'm pondering if I could just use that model photo, and use maybe the Lighten/Darken Brush to fade the dark spot near surrounding color, and record all the strokes. Only problem is its somewhat hard to do well.

I'm not familiar with your camera or how much it might cost to get the sensor cleaned, but it might be worth the cost. Lightroom has the ability to make corrections in the same position on multiple photos, but it's not an inexpensive program and it also has a learning curve.

[artk]

That looks like you have some dirt on the sensor or on the lens. It looks like your camera is not a DSLR so if it's the sensor then something happened in manufacturing of the unit. If it's a scratch or dust on the lens then cleaning it with a micro fiber cloth. (blow on the lens to create a fog and wipe the entire surface of the lens). If the flaw is still there and hasn't changed shape then it has to be your sensor. You would be wise to have it sent in for repair. There is a good chance you will have to fix this flaw on every picture you want to print or use. This would drive me crazy and I would much prefer having the camera fixed instead of dealing with it in Post Processing.

[Torsti2003z]

Ok, seems I need not to study image manipulating programs too deeply, Olympus service responded quickly to my email with attached photos that its obviously a faulty camera, and they will repair it according to warranty

Thanks for feedback, it helped!

[baycruisers]

Originally Posted by Torsti2003z

Ok, seems I need not to study image manipulating programs too deeply, Olympus service responded quickly to my email with attached photos that its obviously a faulty camera, and they will repair it according to warranty

Thanks for feedback, it helped!

You're most welcome. And, you learned a basic and important editing technique using the clone brush! Trust me, you'll use it a lot.