Cloning vs. Healing Smackdown

By Matt Kloskowski · December 26th, 2011

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Using a torn–and worn–photograph, Matt walks through how to use the various clone and healing tools in Photoshop Elements. The video discusses the strengths and weaknesses of the Spot Healing Brush (with content-aware fill), Healing Brush, and the Clone Stamp tool, and Matt talks about how you’ll often need all three tools to come up with a convincing restoration.

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This entry is filed under Elements Basics, Elements Tools and Menus, Restoration, Video Tutorials.

6 Replies to Cloning vs. Healing Smackdown:

Vivian
December 26, 2011 at 3:05 pm

Thanks for the explanation between these tools and when to use any particular one. Now I know why what I was trying to do didn’t work!
Ellen
December 27, 2011 at 8:49 am

Like Matt did, I typically begin with the healing brush tool, but in the “spot” mode w/content aware.

1) Usually I’ll drag a line (the way Matt did) and get a pretty good, though slightly blurred, correction.

2) Other times, if I want a more precise and better result, I’ll use the same tool, but do a series of overlapping spot corrections. Usually this gives me exactly what I want; especially when I have a hard line transition (e.g. face vs background).

3) It’s only after neither of these work that I’ll resort to the clone stamp tool. I find that using the clone tool is more labor-intensive and requires zooming-in and precisely locating the co-ordinates for placement.

BTW, I wouldn’t be surprised if both tools aren’t simply two manifestations of the same sub-program built into PSE. But, either way, I’m glad we have both tools.
Alfred
December 28, 2011 at 12:49 pm

Thanks Mark, I had not realised that there were so many different methods of attacking a problem, and as you said, its good to have some notion of alternatives, great stuff, and like the manner you use to explain tnhigs so clearly. Ben
Frederick
January 4, 2012 at 9:10 am

Escellent helpful discussion!.
Hector
January 4, 2012 at 10:10 am

Thanks for the video. I too now understand why my usage of the spot healing brush with content aware was not doing what I wanted.

I have a question and hopefully this is an appropriate pale to ask. When using the spot healing brush with content aware turned on, is sampling done outside the brush area and if so how far outside.

Thanks again for a very helpful video.
Kathy
January 4, 2012 at 10:13 am

Wish I could see the entire video; it starts out so well! It has stopped 4x at the same spot, soon after Matt starts to use the spot healing brush the third time, trying to get it to show the problem the Content Aware option can create. I would think with it stopping at the same place that the problem is on your end. (Yes, I’ve turned off my browser and tried again fresh.)

Can I do something? or is the ball in your court? BTW, I LOVE your videos and tutorials! You are an outstanding resource!