Generative Fill vs Clone Stamp vs Spot Healing Brush: Tools Explained

Discover the power of AI and traditional techniques to perfect your images! This tutorial explores the strengths and weaknesses of Generative Fill, Clone Stamp, and Spot Healing Brush, helping you choose the right tool for every task.

Download the Sample Image and PSD:

Go PRO:
Interested in learning more about Photoshop? Explore our exclusive Photoshop Learning Path. From the fundamentals to advanced techniques, this comprehensive guide will help you make the most of this powerful software and bring your creative vision to life:

Join PHLEARN PRO (Save 10%):

Join this channel to get access to perks:

―

What is PHLEARN PRO?

◦ 200+ In-Depth Courses on Photoshop, Lightroom & Photography
◦ 500+ Actions, Brushes, Presets & LUTs
◦ Master Retouching, Compositing, Special Effects & More
◦ Monthly & Annual Subscription Options

―

Follow us on social!

[TomDouglass-cmtu]

Aaron, looking good my man. Good to see that you look genuinely happy. Being an old school photographer in his 70's, I like AI for removing not adding something that wasn’t there. Thanks

[blonko]

You have me excited. You're always inspiring! - From Minnesota

[GlitterGal]

Thank you for the great tutorial. I do use the clone stamp and spot healing brush, but usually for small areas, like removing small spots or dust or things like that. But I like the AI options for removing/changing larger areas. I'm not a photographer, so I'm not as concerned with my images being tagged with AI.

[provisions]

Hi, I still use the clone stamp tool a lot. I find Ai can be good but inconsistant . Great video as always please keep them comming.

[LeoS-]

Thanks Aaron. I still use the 'classical' tools, but also the remove tool and generative fill. Also, I now use the Find distractions tool, particularly when removing several people from the image in one go. As a hobbyist I quite like the AI tools. However, things may be different if you're a professional.

[aloysiuscalvin]

Hi Aaron.. can you make video about color grade and then made it as a preset in a photoshop ? Thank you

[adrianwhareham]

I never use generative Ai you don't need it if you know how to use photoshop, I loved it when you showed how to do it without Ai years ago, that was when you had to learn how to use photoshop, which I still use today, thank you for all of those videos Aaron.

[colinyoung]

Thanx Aaron, I still use the clone stamp tool, that's all...great video Colin Devon UK...

[b]

One of the criticisms of generative fill is that the effort of taking a good photograph is being eliminated. Now you take a picture of Hudson Bay sewage pipe intake and tell generative fill to make it like Ansel Adams and voilà.

[kixwho]

I'm clumsy with the clone stamp tool, so I use the spot healing brush more. Thanks for another fantastic video and that big smile! By the way I really like how the Download Sample Image links show a thumbnail, so I know exactly where the link is taking me. How did you do that?

[studioninephotography]

The Remove tool is scary good. I would have thought you would have mentioned that.

[MartyKramer-mf]

Once again is succinct (deeply appreciated) and informative presentation.
Quick feedback I was curious about Content Aware Fill, which is an algorithm AI that is not considered AI manipulation when posting on media?

[michaelmcdonald]

Any advantage to using the brush tool over the lasso tool for generative fill? Or is it just personal preference?

[annaconsta]

I learned Photoshop back when there was no AI, so I still use the traditional tools, sometimes purely as a habit. But I love AI as well. I am combining both.
Just want to say that, at least for now, the traditional tools are still amazing. You can create a lot of details exactly how you want. AI can not read minds (for now).

[MrIowahawks]

How do you get a photo u uploaded on Lightroom mobile or desktop to Lightroom
Classic?

[unaby_unaby]

Would be also fair to include new (well, not the brand new though) Remove Tool in this comparison. It does a pretty decent job, much accurate than Spot Healing Brush and isn't marked as AI by the social media engines.

[deluxex]

I use the Patch tool quite a bit. Sometimes the Spot Healing Brush doesn't produce a good result, and the Patch tool comes through.

[DamienAshfold]

Hey Aaron, great video as always. I do have a question though because I'm not one to falsify anything.

I'm a firm believer of using old school techniques and tools. The only time I use AI is if I have very little resources available. Such as a widespread wall of graffiti with nothing to work with, otherwise I will use any tool I can use to get the job done. Do you see this as a bad tactic?

Also, another question I'd like to ask is how are images being tagged as AI generation if they are JPEGS?

[JeffGloverArts]

Generally, I avoid AI whenever possible because as some here attest, it removes the effort of being skilled in the first place. I make things and sometimes use it to display those things, though, because: 1) I'm not all that skilled in photography; and 2) AI offers more background choices I'd have no access to.

[Sivas]

woah phlearn why do you look like that