removing colored spots in photos

[pbhewitt]

I have taken many photos with a digital USB camera and microscope and they all have little colored dots on them. I am guessing there is dirt or something in the works causing it but regardless of the reason they are there I would like to remove the spots. The problem is compounded when I use focus stacking and then I get strings of dots. (see attached photo). Is there a method for removing the dots without destroying the photo?

[John Wheeler]

Hi pbhewitt and welcome to the forums.

I am assuming that you are using Photoshop based on your comment about the focus stack.

Have you tried:
- Spot Healing Brush Tool
- Healing Brush Tool
- Patch Tool
- or Clone Stamp Tool

Seems like anyone of those tools could do the job for you if all you are trying to do is hide the small horizontal series of dots that are scattered over the image (though very prevalent along the bottom)

[pbhewitt]

Thank you for your reply. I use Zerene stacker to do my focus stacking. I do have Photoshop CS3 and I will try your suggestions. I have used Paint Shop Pro in the past but never for anything like this.

Paul