I have a question about the clone stamp

[Jane Smith]

I set up my new computer last night and man is it cool.  I now have a 23" screen which seems huge.  Anyway, I had them put on photoshop elements and I played around with it last night.

 

I have yet to find where it explains how to use each feature, and played around with it some.  Then I tried to use the clone stamp. Once you click on the stamp, what do you do?  If anyone can give me the gist of it, I would appreciate it.  I obviously have a lot of learning to do in a very short time. 

Thank you

[F, Calla & Luca]

You need to find a spot you want to clone from, then alt + click clones it. Click where you want this spot to go. It you use a large number of pixels you get an obvious circle. You can use a smaller circle or disguise the edges of the larger circle with smaller circles. I'm finding it like pointillist paintings. It takes a lot of patience!

[Jane Smith]

Thanks F, whatever I was doing last night was erasing the imagine I wanted gone, at the same time it was recreating what I didn't want just below it.  I will try again tonight and hope I can figure it out.  Thanks for the help.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Sometimes out of the blue it seems to me something I didn't think I wanted appears. I haven't clicked alt so it is perplexing. Maybe a guru can help?

[Amy, Kokomo & Killian]

To use the clone stamp tool, hold down alt while you click to set the "copy spot" as I call it.  Then when you let go and begin to 'paint' it will paint the pixels from the copy spot to the area you are painting.  THe distance from the copy spot and paint spot can be reset at any time by hitting alt + click again.

I shared this link with my 8th grade students who are using Photoshop CS3 for the first time.  It may help: http://www.cybraryman.com/photoshop.html

[Jane Smith]

Thank you for that.  It seems much easier than the tutorial that came with it. 

[Amy, Kokomo & Killian]

When I clone, I use a soft, semi-transparent brush and I reset the copy spot several times to blend the various shades together...to avoid a definite circle.  Pay attention to patterns and lighting as those can be dead give aways for cloning.  Once you get a handle on it, you will be cloning things out of every photo you take!

[Linda and "Toby"]

Hi Jane! Congratulations on the new computer! How exciting! These quick tutorials will get you up and going fast on Elements: http://tv.adobe.com/product/photoshop-elements/

[F, Calla & Luca]

Yes, they are great!

[F, Calla & Luca]

We will have a whole batch of discussion, or one r whatever starting in October on PSE9.

[Penny, Comiskey & Beemer]

The best videos around.....

 

http://www.alibony.com/articles.php

[Jane Smith]

Wow, this is great.  Look how knowledgable you all are.  I will definitely be joining the conversation in October, but until then need a speed course in order to submit my photos.  Again, thank you for all your help.  You are wonderful.  I don't care what the others say. :)

[F, Calla & Luca]

Egad, what do "others" say.