Learn the fundamental steps to retouch your photos in Adobe Photoshop, from removing blemishes to adjusting colors, to make your images look professional and polished.
Always work on a copy to protect your original image. Select your background layer in the Layers panel and press Ctrl + J (Windows) or Cmd + J (Mac) to duplicate it.
Select the Spot Healing Brush Tool (J). Adjust the brush size to be slightly larger than the blemish. Click on spots, pimples, or small distractions to remove them seamlessly.
Create a new layer, go to Edit > Fill, and choose 50% Gray. Set the layer's blend mode to Overlay. Use the Dodge Tool (O) to lighten areas and the Burn Tool to darken them, adding dimension to your photo.
Use Adjustment Layers (e.g., Curves, Hue/Saturation) from the bottom of the Layers panel to make non-destructive color and tonal corrections. This lets you fine-tune the overall look.
Create a merged copy of all visible layers by pressing Ctrl + Alt + Shift + E (Windows) or Cmd + Option + Shift + E (Mac). Go to Filter > Sharpen > Unsharp Mask to apply a final touch of sharpness.
Pro Tips for Better Photo Retouching
Always use layers, adjustment layers, and smart objects. This allows you to go back and change your edits at any time without permanently altering your original image.
Zoom in close to work on details, but frequently zoom out to see how your changes affect the overall image. Don't get lost in the pixels!
The goal of good retouching is for it to be unnoticeable. Avoid over-softening skin or making extreme adjustments. A light touch often yields the most professional results.
For detailed work like dodging, burning, and healing, a pressure-sensitive pen tablet offers far more control and precision than a standard mouse.
Explore other Photoshop guides and shortcuts