Photoshop CS2: Extraction, Smudge, Heal, and More

Photoshop CS2: Extraction, Smudge, Heal, and More

Although Photoshop CS2 offers a few perks more than Photoshop 7, some of the same tools to retouch photos are unchanged. The Extraction tool, which helps to eliminate a background, is found as early as Photoshop 6. Healing, Patch, Smudge and Blur tools are also found in earlier Photoshop versions. In this tutorial, Linda illustrates when and how to use all these tools and more as a means to either retouch or to alter photographs.

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Overview

Photoshop Tools That Can Change History

When photographers wanted to change or retouch photographs in the past, the process was painfully slow and tedious. With Photoshop, the process is almost instantaneous, provided the user knows which tools to use and when to use them. Extraction can eliminate backgrounds, and the Healing and Patch tools can eliminate hours of work. Other tools, like gradients, noise reduction, and the Smudge and Blur tools can help to speed up the process as well.

But, sometimes a photo does require more work, because fast fixes don’t provide the results that you might want. While I use an old photograph to illustrate some of these processes, the same tools and methods can be used on any photograph or image.

Old Locket Photo

The photograph below left was a little tough to deal with, as it was a miniature contained within an old locket that measured 19 x 38 mm (roughly .75” x 1.5”). But, I managed to arrive at the image on the right with the help of Photoshop, a little extra time, and some patience. I’ll walk you through the steps below, with some preparation on the front end on how to make this job simpler for yourself.

Linda Goin

Linda GoinLinda Goin carries an A.A. in graphic design, a B.F.A. in visual communications with a minor in business and marketing and an M.A. in American History with a minor in the Reformation. While the latter degree doesn't seem to fit with the first two educational experiences, Linda used her 25-year design expertise on archaeological digs and in the study of material culture. Now she uses her education and experiences in social media experiments.

Accolades for her work include fifteen first-place Colorado Press Association awards, numerous fine art and graphic design awards, and interviews about content development with The Wall St. Journal, Chicago Tribune, Psychology Today, and L.A. Times.

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