How to Use Photoshop retouching Tools

How to Use Photoshop retouching Tools

Before you will proceed to using the Photoshop retouching tools, you must have created a new document. In the New dialog, set Width to 1024 pixels, the Height to 768 pixels, and the background contents to white.

1. Select the Clone Stamp (S). 

This feature lets you pick up part of the image, and copy it to another part of the image.

1. Select a brush. On the top of the window, to the right of the Clone Stamp icon is the brush palette. Click on it to select a brush.
2. Using the Size slider, set the brush size to 50.
3. Set the clone source. Before you can clone the image, you need to select what you are actually copying.

Soften the edges of the cloned area. To do this, click on the brush palette at the top again, and this time set the Hardness to 0%. This will fade out the edges of the tool gradually. Select about the same clone source, then, go over the outer edges of your cloned area.

4. If you want a real challenge, try to clone out the mast. Use smaller brushes, and clone sources very near the mast itself.
5. In the Clone Stamp menu is also the Pattern Stamp. Like the Clone Stamp, this paints over your image, but instead of using part of the image, it uses a pattern.

In order to create a pattern of your own, select part of the image using the rectangular Marquee Tool, then from the Edit menu, select Define Pattern. Name your new pattern, select the Pattern Stamp tool, and then click on the Pattern palette. Paint over your picture, and the pattern will be stamped onto it:

6. Checking the "Aligned" checkbox will result in evenly-tiled patterns, just like a checkerboard, even with multiple passes with the brush.
7. Unchecking the "Aligned" checkbox will restart the tile with every click of the mouse, which can result in a more natural looking pattern.
8. Checking "Impressionist" will give you random dots of color taken from the pattern. The dot size is determined by the brush size.

2. Select the History Brush (Y). 

This History Brush tool takes you back to previous versions of your image, but unlike simply saving a copy along the way, then reopening it, the History Brush lets you paint in prior versions.

1. You will have to scroll to the top of the History tab. In case it is not showing, select History from the Window menu. On the top of the History window, you will see a thumbnail of the image. Click the checkbox next to that.
2. Remember that the previous image you Clone Stamped out of existence. You going to bring it back, with your History Brush selected, use the Brush palette and set your brush size to 100, and the hardness to 100%.
3. Click and hold the mouse where the image used to be, and start painting. Your image is painted back in.
4. Use the History Brush to paint the image back to the original.

3. Select the Spot Healing Brush (J). 

Similar to the Clone Stamp, the Spot Healing Brush tool will paint over your image with another part of the image. However, it works from the area around where you are painting. It can deliver amazingly natural results.

1. Having selected the Spot Healing Brush, set your brush to a round brush, 50 pixels round, and 50% Hardness.
2. In case you want to remove something in the middle of your image. Starting on the right side of the unwanted part, make small strokes from the outside into that part. You will start to see the part disappear. Continue painting away the part, until it is gone from view.