Healing tools in Photoshop CS4

[gcmj45acp]

I've found several different articles on the spot healing brush and clone tools in CS4 but I can't seem to make it work. All attempts have resulted in me loosing my intended area for cloning or I get nothing at all if I try to add a layer for sampling a smooth texture.

All I am trying to do is blend away blemishes on my subjects' skin. Some of you obviously have mastered this process but everyone seems to have a different way of doing it. I tried simply reading the help file but that seems to be inaccurate...There's no REPLACE mode for the healing brush and cloning has only caused me to lose my hair. I don't expect this to be easy but the instructions for making setting up the tools sound like a monkey should be able to do it. But I am apparently the dumbest nerd ever born because I've done nothing but destroy images or masterbate with a mouse so far. Can someone either explain how it works in CS4 or point me to an accurate document?

[Phanee]

Lynda.com or Kelbytraining subscription would help you a lot. Those $20 you spend is worth every penny, if you are not a photoshop pro.

If you have upgraded to CS4 recently and registered the product with Adobe, they will send you registration benefits email, which contains one month free subscription to Lynda.com.

[csa]

Instead of healing brush or cloning for skin imperfections, try sampling the nearby skintone then just painting at between 8 and 20%. It gives a nice finish with virtually no perceptable lines.

[srwatters]

I find that the patch tool does an excellent job of removing blemishes while retaining texture. There are several folks around that have 1/2 or full day Photoshop training sessions. I would say you could easily save yourself weeks of pain by attending one of these targeted at portrait photography.

Have fun!

[SpeedRacerSlots]

Read Tracy's "Glamour Made Easy" thread over in the Human Form section.
Its probably right up the alley for what you are trying to do.
Use dabs (ie lots of clicks with a mouse or touches with a pen), dont drag.
If you dont like something or overdo it, just hit CTRL Z to undo, keep hitting it until you undo to the point you want to get back to.

[AndrewCCM]

Originally Posted by srwatters

I find that the patch tool does an excellent job of removing blemishes while retaining texture. There are several folks around that have 1/2 or full day Photoshop training sessions. I would say you could easily save yourself weeks of pain by attending one of these targeted at portrait photography.

Have fun!

I am with Scott on the patch tool. I use it O F T E N.

[Shane]

I use the patch tool too . . . it is amazing for removing blemishes!

[trahanw]

With your healing brush, duplicate layer, working on copy with healing brush, decrease your brush size, alt click on an area close to the blemish for samplings. Then click on your blemish

[Donb10]

This is a good site for Photoshop tutorials. He usually adds a new one every week. Just click on Photoshop.

http://www.thedigitalphotographyconn....com/index.php