Photo Correction: Skin Doctoring and the Clone Tool

Photoshop has a wide variety of tools that can be used to doctor up images, and manipulate their true appearance. Some of these tools can be used to get rid of acne, scars, dust, scratches, and other weird markings.

One of the most commonly used tools to doctor up images is the "Clone Stamp Tool" . The clone stamp tool is used by first selecting a clone source, and then brushing the selected source area over any other area. In essence, it is very familiar to copy pasting with a paintbrush rather than a box selection.

To start using it, first open up the document that needs to be corrected in Adobe Photoshop.

There are several problems with this photograph that could be corrected easily with the clone tool. Using this tool, one could remove the acne on the faces of the subjects, as well as the slight glare on the right subjects neck.

Select the Clone Stamp Tool from your toolbar in Photoshop. This tool might be under the "Pattern Stamp Tool".

Now, zoom into your document using the zoom tool into one of the areas that needs to be corrected.

Notice the acne in the lower region of this area. We can get rid of this area very easily with the Clone Stamp Tool. While holding the "Alt" button on your keyboard, click on an area of the skin that seems to match the color and texture of the area you want to go over.

Now that you have selected your clone source area, you can brush over your area that needs to be corrected. Select an appropriate sized brush, and then draw over the acne to "remove" it.

The Clone tool Is also good for removing spots, glares, and many other kinds of manipulations.