Graphics software has not only given digital designers a way to refine their skills but brought back to life pictures that may have seen too much light of day. By using Adobe Photoshop, you're able to retouch an old picture or even tweak a new one, making small changes that lead to a big difference. With Photoshop, you don't need the magic touch to retouch; the software includes all the tools to work on the image.
Instructions
1. Open Photoshop. Click "File." Click "Open." Locate the image to retouch and double-click its file name, opening it on the Photoshop work desk.
2. Brighten a dull image that has faded over time by clicking the "Image" menu at the top of the screen. Click "Adjustments." Select "Hue/Saturation." Drag the small window up to the right so it is not covering the picture. Slowly slide the "Saturation" bar to the right, which increases the vibrancy of the colors. Click "OK" when satisfied.
3. Lighten or darken an overexposed or shadowy spot in the picture by clicking the "Lasso" tool on the vertical "Tools" pane. Draw an outline around the area. Click "Image" and "Adjustments" again, but click "Levels" this time. Drag the window off the image. Slide the "Output Levels" or "Input Levels" slider bars to the left or right to bring the selected area of the picture back to life.
4. Clean up a blotch, speck or tear in the picture by clicking the "Clone Stamp" tool on the "Tools" palette. Press the "Alt" key on the keyboard and click the tool on an area with the same colors or pattern as the speck area, but not directly on top of it. Release the "Alt" key, move the cursor directly on top of the area to remove and click the mouse, depositing the copied "good" area and making a seamless transition as if the problem spot was never there.
5. Add crispness into the picture by clicking the "Filter" menu, selecting "Sharpen" and click "Sharpen" again from the fly-out menu. The picture becomes a degree more sharp. Repeat the process as desired for another degree of sharpness each time.
6. Click the "File" menu. Select "Save As." Type a new name for the image or a version number to protect the original. Click the "Save" button.
