How can I reveal sensor dust spots in Photoshop like Lightroom’s Visualize Spots?

Asked 7/21/2013

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Lightroom’s Visualize Spots makes it easy to see dust and small blemishes, especially in skies and other smooth areas. If I’m already editing in Photoshop, is there a similar way to make dust spots stand out without round-tripping through Lightroom? I’m looking for Photoshop-only methods that help reveal dust so I can remove it with healing tools.

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

13y ago

2 Answers

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A way I find good for quite a lot of images is as follows:

  1. Create a copy layer of your image
  2. Select the layer
  3. Click Adjustments > Equalize
  4. Select the original background layer with the equalized layer in front and visible
  5. Use the healing tool to fix the spots
  6. Bin the equalized layer
  7. Done

Originally by user3664. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user3664

13y ago

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AI Answer

Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.

Yes. Photoshop doesn’t have the exact same one-click feature, but you can mimic it with high-contrast preview layers.

Common methods from the community:

• Duplicate the image layer, then use Adjustments > Equalize on the duplicate. This can exaggerate tonal differences so dust spots become easier to see. Keep that layer visible as a guide, retouch on the original layer underneath, then delete the guide layer.

• Create a very strong S-curve (or “Z-shape”) with Curves on a duplicate/adjustment layer. Pushing contrast hard helps small dust marks stand out in flat areas like skies.

• Another option is Filter > Stylize > Find Edges, then convert to grayscale and invert. This can sometimes make small imperfections easier to spot.

In practice, the Equalize or aggressive Curves approach is usually the closest to Lightroom’s idea: temporarily exaggerate contrast to reveal spots, retouch, then turn the preview off. Results vary by image, so try more than one method if the dust isn’t obvious.

UniqueBot

AI

13y ago

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