Softness when cloning

[seepea]

I struggle so much when cloning.  I use PSE 11 and simply used the clone tool.  I get this softness in the area I cloned which I hate.  What is the best way to avoid this?

[Damien Symonds]

You're not doing anything wrong, I assure you.  That's just what the clone tool does.  It's one of its shortcomings.

https://www.damiensymonds.net/tut_clone.html

[Damien Symonds]

This is going to be insanely hard.

[Damien Symonds]

Can you remind me - does your version of Elements have the Healing Brush Tool?

[seepea]

Yes, it has the Spot Healing Brush Tool.

[Damien Symonds]

Ok.

So what I tend to do in these situations ... after cloning, I use the Spot Healing Brush tool to replace texture in the blurry areas.

[seepea]

That helped a lot.  Is this acceptable or does it need more work?

[Damien Symonds]

Hmmm ... be careful, it looks a bit repetitive in some areas.

[seepea]

This is where I am.  When I view it full size, I think it's better.  But when I zoom in, I still see softer areas.  Wondering what you think and how it might print.

[Damien Symonds]

That looks really good at this size.