What’s the best Photoshop method for removing people from a finished landscape photo?
Asked 5/5/2013
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2 answers
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I often need to remove tourists from landscape photos after the shot is already taken. I’ve tried Clone Stamp, Healing Brush, Patch Tool, Spot Healing, duplicate-layer methods, and Content-Aware Fill, but I’m not sure which approach is most effective or when to use each one.
For a scene like a landscape with people crossing detailed backgrounds, what Photoshop workflow usually works best to remove them cleanly and naturally?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
13y ago
2 Answers
4
I usually try content-aware patch first. I think that works better than most of the tools in most situations. Content-aware fill is also good.
Clone stamp is good for small areas, but on larger areas I always end up being able to see patterns from the stamping, or if I use low opacity and multiple passes, that has the effect of averaging out pixels and destroying any texture.
So on large areas where content-aware doesn't work, I usually use duplicate layers as follows:
Make a selection that is similar to the area you want to fix.
Duplicate and move over the area to fix.
If necessary apply curves/levels or color adjustments to match the area.
Use a mask to blend
Once this is done, I will merge the layers and then use a clone stamp at a medium opacity to clean up small areas. Here I've fixed the lower portion, then done some cleaning up with clone stamp.
This is pretty quick - took about 2 minutes. Even if it doesn't come out perfectly, you'll have a cleaner image to use as a base, and may then have more success with the other techniques.
Originally by user4191. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user4191
13y ago
0
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There isn’t one best tool for every image; the most effective workflow is usually a combination.
A good starting point is Content-Aware Patch or Content-Aware Fill, since they often handle larger removals better than straight cloning. For small cleanup areas, Clone Stamp works well.
When content-aware results aren’t convincing, a common manual approach is:
- Find a nearby area that closely matches the background.
- Duplicate that area onto a new layer and move it over the person.
- Adjust tone/color if needed with levels or curves.
- Use a layer mask to blend edges naturally.
- Merge or keep layers, then use Clone Stamp at medium opacity for final cleanup.
The key to believable results is sampling from the right nearby textures so patterns don’t repeat obviously. Clone Stamp alone can work, but on larger areas it often creates visible repetition or smears texture if overused.
A tablet can make this easier, but patience and careful blending matter more than the specific tool.
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AI13y ago
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