The clone tool is one of the handiest and most used tools in Photoshop, but people often get a bit confused on how it actually works.
Here is a brief overview, and a very simple example, of the basic capabilities of the Clone tool. This post should be used as a starting point to the more advanced techniques that are to follow in the upcoming weeks.
We will start with the following image, with the aim of removing the lady from the landscape.

The Clone tool works by sampling an area of an image, and then reapplying this sample to a new area, it can be used for removing unwanted elements from you photos, as well as adding new elements.
Open your image in Photoshop, and select the Clone Tool 
Duplicate the Background layer by pressing Cmd + J, and name the new layer “Clone”

With the “Clone” layer selected, you now have to select a reference point for the Clone Stamp. For best
results, use a small brush size and zoom right up on your image.
To set the reference point, hold “alt” and select an area in your image which best matches the area you want to clone out.
In the example, we will start by cloning the top half of the woman. Sample an area of the sky to the left or right of the woman.

The key to getting a flawless clone is by using the tool in a “dabbing motion”, rather than “painting” the area. “Painting” leads to results which have a repeating affect which is very noticeable.

Continue this process until you have removed the majority of the woman, and only the bottom of her legs are still visible.

The process remains the same for the next step, but it is worthwhile dropping your brush size right down again. Due to the unevenness of the rock edge, it is important to select a sample area which is going to match that of where the legs join the rock. Don’t just sample one area of the image and use it for the whole process, you will achieve better results by changing your sample area to match the area you are working on.


This is just a very basic example, but once you understand how the Clone Tool works, you will continually be amazed at how handy it becomes!
In the next post I will run through some much more advanced features of cloning, including the Vanishing Point tool which enables you to clone areas with consideration for perspective!