Need Help With Scanning and Retouching Photos

[Rick Waldroup]

Okay, I am very new to digital photography so you will have to bear with me. I still print in my wet darkroom and this is what I want to do. I have a cheap HP flatbed scanner and I will be scanning B&W prints on it. Now, the only software I have is Photoshop Elements which came with my Compaq computer a few years ago. This is what I want to do: I want to be able to adjust the brightness and contrast on the scanned image (which I think I might have that figured out but any tips on that would be appreciated) and more importantly, is there a way to "spot and dust" the prints- retouch the imperfections- spots on the print, etc. I can do it on the print itself before I scan it, but that is a pain in the butt and I have done it like that for over 30 years and I still hate doing it, so if there is a way to do it with the software I have, it would be much easier. I have looked at the Photoshop Elements and I'm not sure if there is a way to do what I want to do- I'm sure there must be but I can't seem to find it. Any help from you guys would be much appreciated.

[steve817]

If it's not a lot of dust and spots the clone tool is your friend. I'm not sure if there is a dust and spots filter on Elements or not. If it is, it would be under the filters menu.

[johnastovall]

Photoshop Elements 2 Restoration and Retouching (Paperback)
by Laurie Ann Ulrich

We maybe having a how to class on this at the Erath County Genealogical Society meeting some time this year. Just don't know yet. If we do it will be free and open to the public.

[Clayton Wallace]

Elements has a bundle of power (especially the newest one) and should suit you fine for what you need. Check out this website for step by step instructions for what you're looking for...
http://www.photoshopelementsuser.com...rted_step1.php