Expert: Evgenia (Jenny) Grinblo - 10/3/2011

Question
QUESTION: Sir i downloaded trial version of cs5 and when i used da most important tool,healing,on da 1st three images it bleeds grey or white.Only by chance it picks da same color,like in this picture i wanted to remove da hair on da forehead so i sampled from da forehead jst over da eyebrows but when i click its never da same its always grey and in seven days my trial will be over.Sir i wanna ask that if u use healing on da hair,jst one click to see if same happens to u then maybe its due to low quality of da image,i dont want u to work on my image or send me back.. plz help.

ANSWER: Hi Kushaldeep,

I understand your issue and have found it frustrating in the past myself! Glad you asked.

The answer is actually in the tool's settings. When you have selected the healing brush, have a look at the top menu that appears (I attach a picture for your convenience). Right after the brush size, you have an option to select the mode. Instead of "normal," use the drop-down menu to select "replace." This will literally replace the area with the sample you have chosen.

You might notice that the result is a little harsh. To make a more subtle change, duplicate the layer you are working with (by dragging in into the little page icon on the layer menu). Use the replacement technique and then use either one of the following as you see fit:

1. Either turn the opacity of the 'fixed' layer down a little to make the effect of the brush more subtle
2. Use a soft eraser brush on low opacity (try 30%) to soften the edges of your manipulated area
3. If you are comfortable using layer masks (they are a little more advanced.) If you have time and want to learn more about layer masks, have a look at this video tutorial by Largefeather on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DA8TgyTruV8. Around 0:02:35, he explains how to use masks and what they are for.

Hope this helps and good luck!

Evgenia (Ms, not sir ;)



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thnx Miss Evgenia, i have been trying this but it doesnt give that result and we are using such an advanced pragramme. Its nowhere near perfect but not at all wen im trying to remove hair from da forehead bz as i decrease opacity da hair becomes visible.And who better than u must b knowing that it bcums irritating and time consuming, healing brush is supposed to copy exactly da sample..but Ms is there any other real solution?Maam did u tried on my picture jst to check. Thnx anyway,sweet name though.

ANSWER: Hi again,

It is actually possible to achieve what you want with the tips I gave you but you should be aware that photo retouching is very difficult to do on a high level. You need to practice and learn through trial-and-error if you expect to see great results. Photoshop is an advanced program but it does not magically make things happen.

Perhaps you need another push in the right direction. I actually did look at your photo and worked on it myself. I attach the result after about 5 minutes of work using the techniques I specified. You might need to spend a significantly larger amount of time on this and keep looking up resources. I can't stress enough how important it is to practice. It took me 12 years to get to this level and there are Photoshop courses for a reason! Don't give up.

Here is what I did to your photo:
1. I opened the photo and made a copy of it into a new layer. I always do this to make sure I have something to go back to if I make a big mistake.
2. Using a soft brush (0% hardness), I retouched the forehead, changing the size of the brush from big to small and making sure to sample from various places so get a close result to the original shading and coloring of the forehead.
3. I duplicated the layer I have begun working on again, and used a hard brush this time, to really get toward the edge of the hair. It's okay if you go over the hair a bit because the next step is working backwards.
4. I created a layer mask (as I mentioned in my previous answer to you) and using a small, hard brush, began to recreate some of the hair strands that are supposed to remain in the image, to get a more realistic feel. See my other attached image to get an idea of what kind of brush strokes I used on the layer mask. As you can see, I disabled the other layers so you can see the isolated result.
5. Because the forehead became much lighter than normal, I created a new layer and added some color. I did this by sampling (using the eyedropper tool) some of the color from the cheek and applied it over the forehead. I then set the top layer to "color" to give the forehead some realistic looking hue.

As I said, all of the steps above are also in my answer from yesterday. Go ahead and experiment for yourself. When I was just a beginner, this kind of job would take me from an hour to 3 hours to get perfectly done. If something doesn't work out, just got back a step and try another approach. It will get easier with time and Photoshop will be your friend rather than your enemy!

Good luck once again.

Evgenia (thanks for the compliment on my name)

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: WOW! Firstly, u did not forget to say thanks in the end and secondly, for the result.I feel so stupid maybe bz i was so irritated with the normal healing mode not working and im going to purchase cs5 after the trial is over.Feel stupid bz i always play with the hardness of the brush & opacity of layers but i forgot to do it here and i did not use a soft brush this time...One thing, is it necessary to copy the healing layer(3rd one)agn to use the hard brush?Why not on the same layer,whats the secret? Anyway thnx a lot,till now you are the best person i have come across and you really wanted to solve the problem..Thanks a lot & God Bless.

Answer
Hi again,

Thanks so much for the lovely reply. You really made my day. I do care very much about this and I know how frustrating it can be to get stuck with something that looks like it should be simple!

I recommend trying the layer mask option because it gives you that extra layer of flexibility. You don't have to do it if you get the result you like but basically, I love layer masks because you have the ultimate ability to go back and forth between small details and not worry about having to undo your actions. Try it out, I bet after you get the hang of it, you'll find a good use for it for this project and beyond.

I wish you all the best!

Evgenia