How to remove dust from negatives in Photoshop?

You can remove dust from scanned negatives in Photoshop using the Spot Healing Brush Tool.

Using the Spot Healing Brush Tool

The most direct method to remove dust and small imperfections from scanned film negatives involves the Spot Healing Brush Tool.

• Accessing the Tool:

  • Locate the Spot Healing Brush Tool in the tools panel on the left side of your Photoshop window.
  • Alternatively, use the keyboard shortcut: press the "J" key.

• How to use:

  • Select the Spot Healing Brush Tool.
  • Adjust the brush size using the bracket keys [ and ] on your keyboard. The brush size should be slightly larger than the dust spot you want to remove.
  • Click directly on the dust spot. Photoshop will then automatically sample pixels from the surrounding area and intelligently blend them to remove the spot.
  • For larger areas, you can click and drag slightly over the dust, making sure you only cover the area needed.

Example

Let’s say you have a noticeable dust speck on the sky part of a scanned negative. You would:

1. Select the Spot Healing Brush.
2. Adjust the brush size to be slightly bigger than the dust speck.
3. Click directly on the dust speck.
4. Photoshop will sample the blue sky around the spot and blend it over, effectively removing the dust.

Key points for effective dust removal:

• Adjust Brush Size: Always make sure the brush is only slightly bigger than the imperfection. A brush that is too large can blend in unwanted areas.
• Work in Layers: Consider creating a new layer before working with the Spot Healing Brush. This allows you to go back and adjust or undo edits if needed.
• Patience is Key: Some scans might have lots of dust. Take your time and carefully examine the image and remove each spot individually for best results.

By using the Spot Healing Brush Tool, you can effectively remove dust from your scanned negatives and restore them to pristine condition.