The Dredded Clone Tool

[jjjay00]

Ok, now I've heard the dredded cloning tool (PS CS2) mentioned quite a bit. The reason why I say dredded is because I can't get the hang of it...Apparently you can clone on nice skin - soft, clean, but still with pores showing in other words natural. I'm kind of getting over the flat blurred skin tone and want to step up to the more natural look. I've had a good look around (that is, google etc) but the only tutorials and tips that I can find talk about removing and adding objects/people etc...Can anyone direct me to some info on how to correctly use the good old clone tool effectively for beautification and glamourisation?
Cheers

[DannyRaphael]

If you have PS7 or later, look into using the Healing Brush instead. It works kind of like the clone tool, but retains texture.

Google: photoshop tutorial "healing brush"

...for a boatload of "how to" info.

[Caitlin]

Don't forget you cane use clone (and many of the other tools) set to a specific mode. Eg. You can clone using colour or luminosity etc. That way you can keep the existing texture.

[Gary Richardson]

Also you don't have to clone at 100% opacity. Try cloning with the tool set to 5-10% and build up slowly, that way you can control how much of the original texture you want to show through.

By always working on a separate layer you can also adjust layer opacity to further refine things.