Wouldn't we all like to look a few years younger or magically erase facial blemishes? Luckily we can turn back the clock digitally with the appropriately-named history brush in Photoshop 5 and up.
Difficulty: Average
Time Required: 10 minutes
Here's How:
- Open the image.
- Go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur.
- Set the radius just high enough to conceal any wrinkles or blemishes. Anything over 1 or 2 pixels is probably too much. Click OK to apply the gaussian blur.
- If the History palette is not visible, go to Window > Show History.
- Click the small arrow in the upper right corner of the history palette and choose New Snapshot. Name the snapshot "blurred".
- At the top of the History palette, click the first snapshot to revert back to the original image state. It should have the same name as your filename.
- Click in the square next to the blurred snapshot to set it as the source for the history brush.
- Create a new layer.
- Select the History brush.
- Choose a soft brush and paint on the new layer. You will be applying paint from the blurred snapshot source image.
- See the tips below to refine your touch-ups.
- When you are happy with the final image, choose Layer > Merge Down to combine the retouched layer with the original image. There's no going back after you merge the layers.
Tips:
- Use the [bracket keys] to increase or decrease the brush size as you paint.
- Use the number keys to adjust the opacity of the brush as you paint (1=10%, 2=20%, and so on).
- Be careful not to paint over areas of fine detail. If you do, remember you are working on a new layer so you can use the eraser tool if you overdo an area.
- You can toggle the layer visibility on and off by clicking the eye in the layers palette. This will let you compare your touch-ups to the original as you work.
