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Artifact Removal of Photo Negatives

When you scan your 35mm film negatives, the digital file may have artifacts from the scanning process. Artifacts result from the image being increased in size from its original size. You may also have spots on the digital file as a result of dust or dirt on the negative at the time of scanning.

Spot Healing Tool
- In the photo editing program Adobe Photoshop, in both the CS and Elements versions, there is a tool called "Spot Healing Brush Tool." This tool allows you to select the size of tool right down to a single pixel. You can also select a different shape for the tool. The default is a circle with a hard edge. Other choices include a circle with softer edges and different line shapes. You place the cursor over the artifact and click your mouse. The program removes the artefact and replaces it with data the tool collects from the surrounding area.
Clone Stamping Tool
- Adobe Photoshop also has a tool named "Clone Stamp Tool." With this tool you first select the part of the photo you want to use to replace the artifact. When the sample has been selected, you position the cursor over the artifact and the program replaces the artifact with the sampled data.
"Digital ICE" Dust Removal
- During the scanning process, depending on the scanner you are using, you can utilize a dust removal program that is known as "Digital Ice" with Nikon scanners. This program works in a similar way to the Spot Healing Tool by removing the data containing the dust and replacing the space with data from the surrounding area in the scan.
View at 100 Percent
- Always view your image at 100 percent when looking for artifacts. Only at this magnification do they become visible. They look like small jagged lines that randomly appear in the image. The more you increase the size of the image, the more artifacting becomes present in the final image.

Photography