Suggestions for Stain removal

[BenHardy]

Hi
Has anyone any suggestions for removing stains/discolouring on an image (see attached).
Ben

[philbach]

Well you need to use layer masks. To start I would recommend you use a curves adjustment layer and use screen blending mode. Fill the mask with black and fill in the dark areas of the photograph by painting the mask with a soft white brush at about 50% opacity.

Then you can use the curves to lighten up the result to "about right." Then combine the correction to a new layer by selecting merge visible layers while holding the option/alt key. This places a combined layer at the top.

Place a new layer above this and use overlay for the blending mode. Then using the default black and white colors and a 50% soft brush paint in black to darken or white to lighten.

Thats one way.

[BenHardy]

Mmm.. I see where were going on this but "...combine the correction to a new layer by selecting merge visible layers while holding the option/alt key" doesn't work! The Layers menu closes if I hold the Alt key

[philbach]

Well I've enclosed the first step. Using and curves adjustment layer with screen blending and a mask.

More work needs to be done so to "stamp all visible layers" puts the combined info on the top and then with a new layer you can adjust the smudges with overlay blending mode and painting with a soft black or white brush.

[BenHardy]

Thanks Phil. Once again I've learnt new techniques and got a similar result as the one you kindly posted.
I still don't understand this use of the Alt key when using Layers/Merge visible.
I assume it's the same as making only the adjustment Layers visible then using Select all - Copy Merged - Paste.
Thanks for your help

[unimatrix001]

Hold down the alt key, left click and hold down the mouse button this will keep the menu open. then just move down to merge visible to stamp to a new layer.

[chillin]

I used levels adjustment with a lot of masking. I’ve also enhanced details with dodge & burn tools.