Photoshop CS and Photoshop Elements
Removing an Unslightly Object

The clone stamp tool is one of the most useful tools in Photoshop Elements.  While it has many uses, the most common use is to erase an undesirable object in your picture, replacing it with other elements of your picture.  In this case we have a photo of a horse and rider.  There is an orange cone that detracts from the photo.  We will replace the cone with the ground upon which it sits.

  1. Open the image you wish to modify.  For this project use “HorseAndRider.jpg”.
  2. Make sure you have the “undo history” window showing.  Do this by clicking on “Window” then check “undo history”.  Move the window to someplace on the screen that is out of the way.
  3. In the tool bar click on the Clone Stamp Tool.  This is the 14th tool from the top.  Make sure the Clone Stamp Tool is chosen.
  4. Make the brush size 30-40.  You can make it any size you wish.  Experience will help you choose the best size for a particular image.
  5. Hold down the “alt” key.  The curser will become a target.  Move it to a spot in the grass near the cone.  Click the mouse to select this spot for copying.  Release the “alt” key.
  6. Move the circle (brush) over the cone and click.  A portion of the cone will be replaced by the grass.  You can also “paint” the area by moving the brush while holding down the left mouse button.
  7. Repeat step 6 until the cone is gone.

  8. Now use the same technique to remove the horse in the background in the upper right.
  9. Alt-click on a spot near the edge of the trees where the brown and green come together.
  10. Start your removal of the horse where on the horse along the line where the green and brown come together.
  11. Complete the removal of the horse. Note the green and the brown blend in naturally.

  12. How did the image below on the right happen? Alt-click on the horse's mane. Then move to a spot in front of the horse and start copying. You will get the same result. You can get all kinds of results using the clone stamp tool. Rember, the clone stamp tool does not remove anything. It copies from one part of the image to another.
The original horse with the unsightly cone.
The cone has been replaced with grass
And now the horse in the background is gone
Now how did that happen?