Photoshop how-to: Basic Image Touch-up

This tutorial will show you how to enhance your photo, removing blemishes, spots, wrinkles.

This shows the original photograph and the end result.

The photo I worked with can be found here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/27/lindsay-lohan-the-big-pic_n_335422.html

Step 1:

Duplicate your image ctrl + J. (This gives you a copy in case you need the original again)

Step 2:

Crop the image. To do this, use the rectangular marquee tool to make a selection, then go to image>crop. Use ctrl + D to deselect the image, then use the zoom tool to fit to screen.

Step 3:

We want to cover up the freckles and wrinkles on her forehead. To do this, use the clone stamp tool. Using the zoom tool, zoom in to the area you wish to retouch – this makes it easier to pin point the exact area. To use the clone stamp tool you first need to choose a point to take the colour replacement from. It is best to choose somewhere close by, to achieve the best effect. To choose this point alt + left click. Then, paint over the area you wish to cover.

NOTE: It is best to work in small sections. You may have to redefine your point as you go along – this will give the most realistic result. Work from the middle out, gradually reducing the opacity as you get further out. I used opacity of 30% on the areas around her hair line.

Step 4:

To lighten the areas under her eyes, use the dodge tool, setting the range to highlights and the exposure to 12%. Left click and drag over the darker area.

Step 5:

To remove the blemishes on her skin, use the spot healing brush tool. Set the mode (along the top tool bar) to replace. For this, it is best to use a small brush, tackling each area individually (the size of the brush can also be set along the top tool bar.)

Step 6:

Duplicate Layer 1 (ctrl + J).