Watermarks or watermarks are usually used so that photos and images cannot be reused without the permission of the original owner. Elements like this are very difficult to remove. If you need to use a watermarked photo, you can remove the mark using an application like Photoshop, or GIMP which is a free alternative to Photoshop. This wikiHow teaches you how to remove watermarks from photos.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Using Photoshop
Step 1. Run Photoshop
This application is marked by a blue icon with the words "Ps" in the middle. Click the icon to open Photoshop.
You need a subscription to use Photoshop. Adobe Creative Cloud service subscription fees start from 20.99 US dollars (about 300 thousand rupiah) for one application. You can register to subscribe to this service here. A 7-day free trial period is also available
Step 2. Open the image in Photoshop
Follow these steps to open an image in Photoshop:
- Click the menu " File ”.
- Click " Open ”.
- Find and click the image file to select it.
- Click " Open ”.
Step 3. Select the “Magic Wand” equipment
This tool is in the toolbar on the left side of the screen. The icon looks like a magic wand with a sparkle at the tip.
Step 4. Set the tolerance level to around 15 pixels
Use the field next to the text " Tolerance " in the panel at the top of the screen to change the tolerance level of the equipment. Set the tolerance to a smaller level like “15”.
If the “Magic Wand” tool selects the area outside the watermark, press the shortcut ” Ctrl” + “Z”' or “” Command” + “Z” to deselect and lower the equipment tolerance level again.
Step 5. Click inside the watermark
After that, the part inside the watermark will be selected. The area surrounded by the moving dotted line is the selection area. It is possible that all watermarks will not be selected directly. However, this is not a problem as long as the tool does not select areas outside the watermark.
Step 6. Hold down Shift and click another area to add it as a selection area
Once the “Magic Wand” tool is selected, hold down the “Shift” key and click another area within the watermark to add it as a selection area. Keep selecting another area until the entire watermark is selected.
Alternatively, you can use one of the “Lasso” tools and follow the outline of the watermark image. “Lasso” equipment is indicated by a lasso string icon. This icon is in the toolbar on the left side of the program window
Step 7. Hold down Alt. key or Command and click an area to remove it from the selection area.
If the “Magic Wand” tool marks the area outside the watermark, lower the tolerance level and hold down the “ Alt " or " Command ” while clicking on the area so it doesn't get selected.
You can also use the “Quick Select” tool with a low tolerance setting, then click and drag the cursor on the wrong part to remove it from the selection area
Step 8. Expand the selection by 2-3 pixels
Once the entire watermark is selected, follow these steps to expand the selection beyond the watermark by a few pixels.
- Click " Select ” in the menu bar above.
- Click " Modify ”.
- Click " Expand ”.
- Type numbers 1-3 into the field next to " Expand by ".
- Click " Ok ”.
Step 9. Use the “content-aware” field
This feature fills the selected watermark with an image or element around it. Follow these steps to add a “content-aware” field:
- Click " Edit ” in the menu bar at the top of the screen.
- Click " Fill ”.
- Choose " Content aware ” in the drop-down menu next to "Use".
- Click " Ok ”.
Step 10. Select the “Clone Stamp” tool
The icon looks like a rubber stamp on the toolbar on the left of the program window. The “content-aware” field may leave some noticeable changes to the image under the watermark. You can use the “Clone Stamp” tool to correct the changes.
Step 11. Adjust the size and hardness of the brush
Follow these steps to adjust the size and hardness of the “Clone Stamp” brush:
- Click the round dot (brush) icon in the upper-left corner of the Photoshop window.
- Use the slider bar to adjust the brush size. You can also change the brush size by pressing the “ [" or " ] ”.
- Lower the brush hardness to “0”.
Step 12. Hold down Alt. key or Command and click the area next to the messy part.
The area will be selected as a sample to cover up any messy looking areas. Don't choose the messy part. Just select an area or element next to the part of the image that looks untidy.
Step 13. Click the messy part
The tidy area that you previously selected as a sample will be pasted onto the section. Make sure the part you cover looks neat and blends in with the areas around it.
Don't click or drag the cursor to cover the messy part. Just click the mouse step by step. If there are still other parts that need tidying up, select a new area as a sample and paste the sample on the messy part by clicking on it gradually
Step 14. Save the image
Once you are satisfied with the final image, follow these steps to save the image:
- Click " File ”.
- Choose " Save as ”.
- Type a name for the image in the field next to the text "File name".
- Choose " JPEG ” in the drop-down menu next to the text "Format".
- Click " Save ”.
Method 2 of 2: Using GIMP
Step 1. Download and install GIMP
GIMP is an image editing program similar to Photoshop. However, unlike Photoshop, GIMP can be downloaded and used for free. Follow these steps to download and install GIMP:
- Visit https://www.gimp.org/ via a web browser.
- Click " Download 2.10.18 ”.
- Click " Download GIMP 2.10.18 Directly ”.
- Open the GIMP installation file in your “Downloads” folder or browser.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
Step 2. Open GIMP
GIMP has an icon that looks like a fox with a paintbrush in its mouth. Click the GIMP icon to open the application.
Step 3. Open the image file in GIMP
Follow these steps to open an image file in GIMP.:
- Click " File ”.
- Click " Open ”.
- Find and click the image file to select it.
- Click " Open ”.
Step 4. Select the “Clone” tool
The icon looks like a clone stamp on the toolbar on the left side of the screen.
Step 5. Choose a fine type brush
Click the paintbrush icon in the upper-left corner of the “Tool Options” panel and select a brush with a gradient that appears to be angled.
Step 6. Press [ or ] to adjust the brush size.
Once the button is pressed, the brush size will be increased or decreased.
Step 7. Hold down the Ctrl key or Command and click the area around the watermark.
These areas will be selected as samples.
Step 8. Click the watermark
The sample area will cover the watermark in the image. Click the mouse in increments (one click) until the entire watermark covers the sample area. As much as possible make sure the part you cover looks neat and blends with the areas around it.
Step 9. Repeat the above procedure until the watermark is covered
You may need to sample from other parts of the image to cover the watermark. Make sure the sample is taken from the area closest to the part that needs to be trimmed or covered.
Step 10. Export the final image
Once you are satisfied with how the image looks, follow these steps to export the image:
- Click the menu " File ”.
- Click " Export As ”.
- Type a file name into the field next to " Name ".
- Click " Select File Type (By Extension) ” at the bottom of the window.
- Choose " JPEG Images ”.
- Click " Export ”.
