Uncover the tools and techniques to flawlessly remove logos or unwanted details from images using Photoshop, focusing on the use of the healing brush tool and the patch tool. Discover how, with some patient practice, these tools can transform your images and enhance their overall aesthetics.
Key Insights
- The Healing Brush Tool in Photoshop can be used to remove logos, though it requires careful matching of color and shading, and repeated resetting using the Alt key for optimal effect.
- The Patch Tool offers a more simple approach, allowing the user to draw around the object or logo they wish to remove, sample from the desired pixels and blend the layer smoothly, eliminating the unwanted detail.
- With either tool, attention to detail and precision is key, ensuring that the shading matches, the sampling area is appropriate, and all imperfections are addressed, all leading to a more visually appealing and less distracting image.
Note: These materials offer prospective students a preview of how our classes are structured. Students enrolled in this course will receive access to the full set of materials, including video lectures, project-based assignments, and instructor feedback.
In this video, we will begin removing a logo using the Patch Tool. Let us start by opening our file. For this video, we will be using the “Water Bottle with Logo.jpeg.”
As you can see, looking at this image, we have a water bottle in the ivy. However, the logo at the bottom of the water bottle is a little distracting, so throughout this video, we will work to remove it. As always, let us start by creating a new layer from our Background, and let us title this “Water Bottle Without Logo.” Let us also rename our Background layer “Water Bottle Original” and press ENTER. Finally, we will lock this image and work with the “Water Bottle Without Logo” layer.
In the last video, we went over the Spot Healing Brush Tool and Healing Brush Tool, which is one way we might be able to remove this logo. Therefore, let us try it using the Healing Brush Tool so we can observe the pros and cons of this method. Let us first zoom into our image and align it so we can clearly see the logo. Next, using the Healing Brush Tool, we can begin by dragging. Unfortunately, we received an error. If you remember, with the Healing Brush Tool, this usually means we did not use the ALT key to first set the source area from which to draw pixels. Let us click OK and assign a source area.
Let us use ALT and click above the logo to select a source with a matching white shade. Now, if we drag over the logo, you can see that we can start to remove it. I will press CTRL + Z to undo that action. Let us try again by dragging over the “8.” As we can see, it is not quite the same shade. Press CTRL + Z again to undo, and I will set a new source area using the ALT key. Then I will drag over the “8” using multiple strokes. I will continue to reset the source area using ALT. This process involves matching the tones carefully. If we start to remove the line below, we can do that too.
Using this method, we can see that it is a bit of a process to match the colors precisely. While it can work, the white does not always align perfectly. Let us stop this method for now and explore another approach.
Let us create a new layer by dragging “Water Bottle Original” to the New Layer icon. Let us rename this layer “Water Bottle Patch Tool.” Next, let us hide the “Water Bottle Without Logo” layer and work on this new one. Finally, let us unlock the Patch Tool layer.
The Patch Tool can be found in the same Tools gallery as the Healing Brush Tool. So, we will go to our Tools Bar and select the Patch Tool. The strength of the Patch Tool lies in the ability to draw around an object or area we want to remove and allow Photoshop to intelligently replace it using nearby pixels.
With the Patch Tool selected, we will click and drag a selection around the part of the image we want to remove. Then, we will drag that selection to an area with pixels we want to sample. Photoshop will blend the source into the selected area to match shading and tone. Press CTRL + D to deselect. As we can see, the “1” from the logo is now removed flawlessly.
Next, let us remove the “8.” We will draw a selection around the “8” using the Patch Tool. Then, drag the selection upward to sample from similar white pixels above it. Release, and then press CTRL + D to deselect. We can see the “8” is now removed.
Let us continue with the line below. Draw another bounding box around it using the Patch Tool. If we sample pixels that are similar in tone, Photoshop will do a great job of blending. However, if we try pulling from a different area, like the leaf on the side, Photoshop will do its best—but the result will look unnatural. Press CTRL + Z to undo. Let us instead use the Patch Tool again and pull from a better source above. Press CTRL + D to deselect.
Finally, let us remove the bottom part of the logo. I am going to remove it in two parts. First, I will draw around one side, being careful not to include the nearby leaf in the selection. Drag it upward, then press CTRL + D to deselect. Now we see a foggy patch left behind. Let us press CTRL + Z to undo twice and zoom in for more precision.
Let us draw a new Patch Tool selection closer to the letter “A” and carefully outline the logo. Next, we will drag it to a source with a similar tone and more shading on the right side, and then release. We are left with a small smudge to the right, which is an easy fix. Use the Patch Tool again and drag from a shaded area above. Press CTRL + D to deselect.
Now, if we zoom out, we can see that the logo has been removed. Let us zoom in a little more to clean up additional small smudges. Use the Patch Tool to draw a circle around each smudge and drag to a clean area. Repeat this process two more times, then press CTRL + D to deselect and CTRL + MINUS (–) to zoom out.
Of course, with the Patch Tool, you could go through and remove every small imperfection. However, for this video, our goal was to remove the logo. Looking at the full image, we can now see that the water bottle no longer has a logo, making the composition less distracting and allowing more focus on the ambiance of the scene.
Finally, let us compare it to our original photo. We can see that the logo has effectively disappeared from the new image. Nicely done. Let us now save our work by pressing CTRL + S on the keyboard. Since we are saving as a Photoshop file, we will add “adjusted” to the file name, press ENTER, and choose “Maximize Compatibility.” Press ENTER again to complete the save.
In the next video, we will be separating an image from the background. See you there!