[12fretter]

I use the Art History brush a LOT. I'm a novice, but I find I get the same results using it as others get using masks and channels. If I want to brighten someones face for instacne, I adjust the contrast the brightness on a rough selection of the face, then back it off in history and use the art history brush only on the face. If there are specks all over a white background, I use a dust and scratch filter with a high pixel value to blur out everything. Back it off in history, and brush the art history over any speck. Am I missing an easier way?

12fretter

[Doug Nelson]

That's a good technique, widely used, except most use the History brush as opposed to the Art History brush.

"Like the History Brush tool, the Art History Brush tool uses a specified history state or snapshot as the source data. The History Brush tool, however, paints by recreating the specified source data, while the Art History Brush tool uses that data along with the options you set to create different colors and artistic styles. " - Photoshop Helpfile

[12fretter]

Actually, I misspoke. I meant the History brush all along. Sorry 'bout that.

12fretter

[Doug Nelson]

No problem, I suspected that's what you meant. We do have an Art History brush tutorial that's pretty interesting, but not for photo-real retouching.

The history brush can be kind of fun, as well as productive. Try making a new layer, adding some sort of layer style (maybe bevel and drop shadow), then paint on the new layer using the history brush set to the original image.

[12fretter]

What is meant by "photo-real" retouching? Do you mean it won't have the quality necessary for printing?

Thanks.

12fretter

[Doug Nelson]

I mean that it looks like a photograph as opposed to a painting or drawing.