Photoshop Tutorial: Fix a Group Photo So Everyone Looks Good

Group photos are a great way to capture memories with friends and family, but they can sometimes be challenging to get everyone looking their best. In this tutorial, we’ll show you how to use Photoshop to fix a group photo so that everyone looks their best.

Step 1: Open the image

Open the image of your group photo that you want to edit.

Step 2: Use the Clone Stamp tool to remove blemishes and imperfections

The Clone Stamp tool is a great way to remove blemishes and imperfections from faces. To use it, select the Clone Stamp tool from the toolbar, and then choose a source point on the image that is similar in texture and color to the area you want to fix.

Click and drag the cursor over the area you want to fix, and Photoshop will automatically copy the source point and paste it over the defect. Be sure to use small, soft brush strokes to blend the fix into the surrounding skin.

Step 3: Use the Spot Healing Brush tool to remove red eyes

Red eyes are a common problem in group photos, and the Spot Healing Brush tool is the perfect tool to fix them. To use it, select the Spot Healing Brush tool from the toolbar, and then click on the red eye. 

Photoshop will automatically remove the red eye and replace it with the surrounding skin color.

Step 4: Use the Dodge and Burn tools to brighten and darken areas

The Dodge and Burn tools are great for adding or removing light from specific areas of an image. To use them, select the Dodge tool from the toolbar, and then set the Exposure to a value between 10 and 30%. Click and drag over the areas of the image that you want to brighten.

Select the Burn tool from the toolbar, and then set the Exposure to a value between 10 and 30%. Click and drag over the areas of the image that you want to darken.

Step 5: Use the Healing Brush tool to remove wrinkles and fine lines

The Healing Brush tool is a more advanced tool than the Clone Stamp tool, and it is better for removing wrinkles and fine lines from faces. To use it, select the Healing Brush tool from the toolbar, and then hold down the Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac) key while you click on an area of the image that is similar in texture and color to the area you want to fix. 

Photoshop will automatically copy the source point and paste it over the defect, and it will also blend the fix into the surrounding skin.

Step 6: Use the Liquify tool to adjust facial features

The Liquify tool is a powerful tool that can be used to adjust facial features, such as noses, mouths, and eyes. To use it, select the Liquify tool from the toolbar, and then use the tools in the Liquify dialog box to make the desired adjustments. 

Be careful not to overdo it, as you don’t want to make the subjects look unnatural.

Step 7: Add a touch of color

If the colors in your group photo are a little dull, you can add a touch of color using the Levels or Curves adjustment layers. To use the Levels adjustment layer, select Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Levels. 

In the Levels dialog box, move the black input slider to the right until the shadows are no longer dark, and move the white input slider to the left until the highlights are no longer blown out. 

To use the Curves adjustment layer, select Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Curves. In the Curves dialog box, click and drag the curve upward to brighten the image, and click and drag the curve downward to darken the image.

Step 8: Save the image

Once you are satisfied with the results, save the image by going to File > Save.

Tips

• Be patient and take your time. Fixing a group photo can take some time, so don’t be afraid to experiment with different tools and techniques.
• Use a soft brush when using the Healing Brush tool, and blend the fix into the surrounding skin.
• Don’t overdo it. It’s better to make subtle adjustments than to make the subjects look unnatural.

With a little practice, you can learn to fix group photos so that everyone looks their best.