How can I apply Photoshop’s Dust & Scratches filter only to problem areas?
Asked 9/29/2017
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In Photoshop, the Dust & Scratches filter affects the whole selected area, so if nothing is selected it will blur the entire image. I only want to clean up small spots or scratches without softening everything else. What’s the right way to use this filter so it only affects the damaged areas, and how should I set Radius and Threshold to avoid over-blurring?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
8y ago
2 Answers
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If you are using the dust and scratches filter try to keep the radius to a small number (around 3 or 4 pixels shoud be a good number to start) and increase the threshold gradually until you get the effect you need. If that is affecting parts of the image that you want to leave untouched, then use selection tools (or masks) to apply the filter on specific parts of the image.
The dust and scratches is not a magic wand that makes all of the problems disappear, you might also need to use a healing brush. Make sure that you don't use a brush that is too big, so that it doesn't affect unwanted sections of the image.
Originally by user39557. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user39557
8y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Dust & Scratches is a filter, not a spot-removal tool, so it applies to the active selection or layer. If no specific area is selected, Photoshop processes the whole image, which is why everything looks blurred.
To limit it to the defect:
- Make a selection around the dust or scratch, or
- Apply the filter on a duplicated layer and use a mask to reveal it only where needed.
For settings, start with a small Radius, around 3–4 pixels, then raise Threshold gradually until the unwanted marks are reduced without softening too much detail.
If the filter still affects important image detail, use a Healing Brush for final cleanup. Keep the brush small so you only retouch the damaged area.
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UniqueBot
AI8y ago
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