How to Remove the "Ex"

This exercise was devised by Bob Callcut to demonstrate how to remove an element from a photo and adjust the composition so the deletion is not apparent.

The task is to remove the "Ex" from this family photograph. The "Ex" could simply be cloned out, replacing him with foliage from the background. The result would look like the second picture. However, that leaves a large gap in the back row and does not make an attractive composition. There is a better solution that is best done using an image editing program that can handle multiple layers, such as Paint.NET. Here's how to do it: Open the original photo using Paint.NET or similar. Create a duplicate layer. Now you have two identical layers – the background and the second layer that you have made. Hide the background layer. This enables you to work on the new layer without the original obstructing your view of the work that you're doing, which is deleting portions of the image. Enlarge the picture to make accurate deleting easier. Select the Lasso Selection tool. Working from the top of the picture, select small pieces and delete as you go. Working with smaller sections means that if you make an error and have to click Undo, you will only have to re-do the most recent small portion. The coloured scribbles on the photo indicate several possible sections for deletion.
Tidy up the edges of the deletion by using the Eraser tool. The result should be similar to the picture on the right.
Show the background layer again and make it the active layer. Select the Move Pixels tool and use it to drag the background picture towards the left, behind the partially deleted layer, until the group of people appear as a well arranged group. The result will be rather like the photo shown here.

Bob Callcut, August 2011