Spot Healing Brush aka Band-Aid

Maternity BeforeThe Band-aid Tool is one of my most used tools when it comes to touching up a photograph. A lot of photographers use the cloning method… I, on the other hand, really enjoy the simplicity of the band aid.

I have found this tool does not work well on really detailed areas… or larger areas with lots of patterns, etc. If you are working with a simple solid color or something like a sky or eye whites, then this works wonderfully!

The photo featured is one I took of a pregnant friend of mine.  Right before we started shooting, her 1-year-old decided to slobber on her belly. Also, the field we were in had power lines shooting across the background. Both elements had to go. (the power lines are hard to see on the resized/smaller image)

Here's what I did.

1. Select "Spot Healing Brush Tool" – It looks like a band aid with a circle on it.

Edit 1

Above I have circled the areas I want to band aid, as well as where the tool is located.

2. Once you select your band aid tool zoom in on the area you want to touch up. I normally zoom up 150% on a full size image out of my camera.

3. Once zoomed in you will want to make sure your brush tool is a circle shape, and that it is selected to "proximity match" and not "create texture."

Edit 2

Above, I have circled the spot you zoom in with (just change the number). The dark area on the purple is where I have held the mouse down and began band-aiding the spot. You just hold down the mouse then let go when the spot is covered. It then takes the spot away. Sometimes it's tricky, so play with it.. don't give up on one try :-)

With the power lines, I just band-aided over them using a zigzag motion… it took all of them away with no problem. To see the power lines better click the image for a larger view..

Edit 3

4. Zoom back out (for this image I zoomed back out to 18%)… and you're done!

You can then continue to edit and add whatever actions you want to finish off your image.

This photo required very little editing :) The mama and the surroundings were enough to make it a beautiful capture.

Complete

Posted by Drea: Panamerican 25 yr. old, Mother of 2 boys, Aspiring Photographer and Pastors Wife. I am told that I "Live in a Fish Bowl." I want more than anything to be transparent and honest… and welcome the world into "our bowl."

Related items

About the Author:

drea

Panamerican 25 yr. old, Mother of 2 boys, Professional Photographer and Pastors Wife. "Uniquely Placed" she tries to live her life as transparent as she can... but never forgetting why she is where she is. 1 Peter 2:9
drea's Website

One response to “Spot Healing Brush aka Band-Aid”

  1. Dory

    I'm a cloner. I really need to learn to use this tool. I love the patch tool for matching textures.

Does your family have a fully stocked First Aid kit?

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...
Allison Worthington Media