Photoshop or something similar!

[la vache!]

Help - can anyone advise the best way to remove electricity cables from a photo? I've got adobe photoshop but haven't used it for complicated picture editing.

[Martha]

it depends on the background - you can either use the Stamp tool, or lasso sections out of the immediately surrounding area to cover it. It's not too hard

[Hells Bells]

I think you use the clone stamp tool. Normandy Cow will know I think.

[Martha]

http://www.arraich.com/ref/aatool_clone6.htm

this is quite in-depth so makes it sound more complicated than it really is - just have a go and you'll see.

DO check the "use all layers" checkbox and do all your editing on a new layer above the original - this way you can turn the cloning on and off to see how it's going.

[Hells Bells]

I usually get my youngest to do it for me, he removed some from my summer view picture, as there are cables all over the place. I left in the ones for the ski lifts though.

[la vache!]

Thanks Firebug and Helen - I've succeeded in removing the cables, but the sky looks a bit smudged where I edited - is there anything to help with this?

[Martha]

try selecting the original layer, cutting out a section with the lasso (with a feather edge). Make this into a new layer (layer > new via copy) and drag it above the problem bits. Then use a soft edged eraser to rub it out in portions. The trick is to see how the colours go and follow the same movement...

Is the sky blue or cloudy?

[la vache!]

it is blue. I haven't done anything with layers yet, maybe I'm running before walking here. I may have used the wrong brush, which one would you recommend?

[Normandy Cow]

Here are some really good tutorials on cloning:

http://iit.bloomu.edu/vthc/Photoshop/en ... gstamp.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haIY-EULKmg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcJbN8CA49c

LV, if you email me the photo I'll have a look and see if I can help/advise...

[la vache!]

Hi NC,
thankyou very much for your help, I've tried the first one and that has helped. Thankyou for your kind offer too - I think I'll have a go at doing it myself and then e mail them to you for a critique if that's OK! Could you pm me your e mail address?