If you use Photoshop regularly, you may be familiar with the Clone Stamp tool. It is a tool used to copy parts of an image from one area to another.
The advantage of using a clone stamp in Photoshop is that it replaces pixels and makes retouching unnoticeable. Select the clone stamp tool from the toolbar and choose the required brush options to use the clone stamp. Then, please select an area to clone and copy it to a desired location on your image.
Note: the Photoshop shortcut key for the stamp tool is "S"
Although these steps sound simple, doing a good job with cloning requires a lot of practice. This article provides tips to help you achieve the best results using clone stamps.
- Clone on a new layer
First, create a new layer on your image before using the clone stamp tool. So, anything you do with a clone stamp will be on the new layer and will not affect your original image. You can flatten the image once the changes are made and you’re happy with the results.
- Zoom in
When using the clone stamp tool, you aim to make the changes unnoticeable in the final image. To achieve this, a trick is to zoom in on the area you’re working on. By working on such an intricate level of detail, you ensure that any changes you make will not be visible upon zooming out.
- Clone before you make other edits
If you plan to clone, it is a good practice to complete it before making other edits like color, contrast, sharpness, etc.
- Experiment with brushes
Photoshop users use only a soft round brush for cloning but feel free to experiment with other brushes. There are tons of options available, including creating your custom brush.
Ensure you don’t set your brush size too large, as this will clone areas you don’t intend to. This may cause the final image to look unnatural.
Similar to your brush size, you can also set the hardness of your brush. The edges will remain defined and sharp if the hardness is too high. It’s best to start with a soft brush for the clone to blend nicely. Then, you can increase the hardness if needed.
- Don’t choose your pixels from an adjacent space
If you choose your pixels from an adjacent area, the viewer may notice it quickly. A smart move is to choose your pixels from an area away from where you will paste it. This will ensure the viewer doesn’t immediately notice the difference.
- Resampling
Usually, in the areas where you clone, seams are left behind. So, resample the image frequently to avoid seams where you clone.
You can use These practical techniques to make the clone-stamped image look flawless. But remember that clone stamping is a messy process and requires several trials and errors to get the perfect image.
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