The Clone Stamp Tool, love it or hate it, it’s fantastic!
I have conducted many tutorials that in some way shape or form involve the Clone Stamp Tool, but I don’t think I have ever given my “down and dirty” practical tips for it. Recently I created a course called Photoshop foundations: Cleanup Tools, and it focuses on all the primary cleanup tools in Photoshop.
The Clone Stamp Tool, while valuable, is not the primary star in this show. The course covers the Patch Tool, the Healing Brushes, Custom Selections, Content Aware and much more!
While I was recording the course, it occurred to me just how much I love the Clone Stamp Tool. I used it to show how to remove a car and a few people in the image below. While I was editing the video, I continued to Clone, and Clone some more, until I had cloned out all the cars and all the people using only the data available in the image.
Needless to say, It was AWESOME! I had so much fun. Yes, I need to get out of the office more…
I had a lot of fun removing all the cars and people in this photo. However, throughout the whole process, I still could not find Waldo?
So because I am still on cloud nine from all that cloning, I have some advice for you today with the Clone Stamp Tool. These are five efficient tips that will have you mastering the Clone Stamp Tool in no time!
You can watch the whole tutorial below or snag Cliff’s Notes here:
- Keep it Simple. Keep the brush simple don’t overthink it. A nice soft round brush is all you need.
- Always Clone on a New Layer. I typically do all my cloning first before my significant edits in PS, and I do them on a new layer.
- Find Similar areas to clone with. Try to find areas that are similar, so the cloning looks natural but avoid at all costs my next point.
- Avoid Repeated Patterns. Any patterns that repeat over and over in an image where there shouldn’t be repeated patterns is a dead giveaway you used a tool you weren’t very good with.
- Clone on Multiple Layers. Cloning on multiple layers allows you to move and manipulate pieces while you edit.
Download the Tutorial Image
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For Blake, it's all about the art and process synergy. He dives deep into complex topics and makes them easy to understand through his outside-the-box thinking so that you can use these tricks in your workflow today!
Thanks. Simply and straight to the point
Awesome! Glad you liked it 🙂
Never knew you could put your clone on another layer. Thanks Blake!
I don’t know why anyone wouldn’t love this tool. I used it with every fine art image going to print as there are some things that just need removing or replacing. Yet I still learned a couple things and got some better handle of the tool watching this. Thanks, Blake!
It was love at first sight for me 🙂 I just wish I could Clone Stamp myself
Hi Blake,
I don’t have “clone on new layer” in ps cc 2017-18
It won’t say clone on new layer. You have to make a new layer, then select current and below
Thanks for make clear some points in the tutorial!! Simple more efficient!
hallo Blake,
very nice tuto ! learnt lot of my mistakes
what ofen happens to me is same than when you cloned the car, everything works fine and suddely i copy the horizontal black line because i am too far. also lot of problems on edge of images.
the multiple layer trick with clipping layer is amazing, I like it !
i am going to purchase your course !
best regards
marc
Edges can be tricky, adjust the brush to make sure you don’t clone with edges and also reset your anchor point often.
Clone on multiple layers – man, once you know it, it is so obvious, LOL! I love these outside the box tutorials and always learn something new.
I know right, such a simple concept! Glad I could help!
thank you for this ~ great video
Great idea, never thought of using a layer for this tool
Hi Blake, This was an excellent tutorial. It was so good in fact, that FStoppers picked it up and they linked to it on their website.
https://fstoppers.com/education/five-tips-using-clone-stamp-tool-photoshop-214303
Now that is indeed a compliment, i.e. when others in the field acknowledge your wonderful work! Kudos to you!!
Sweet! I love it when fstoppers picks it up. They are great!
This is really helpful. Thanks very much.
Thank you for another great tutorial- always learn something new from you.
Very helpful, Blake. Thanks.
Thanks Blake! I had never considered doing the cloning in different layers.
Thanks again for an excellent tutorial, Blake! I used to live in downtown Chicago. Were you up in Trump Tower when you took this photo?
Your tutorials are excellent. Your passion for what you do really comes through!
I used the photo whilst doing the original course. Great exercise. And “Waldo” stands out a mile when you know! ??. Keep up the good work young man.