How to Remove Dust and Sensor Spots Using Photoshop Tools

Dust spots and sensor particles are inevitable challenges in digital photography, appearing as dark specks that distract from otherwise clean images. Camera sensors collect dust over time, creating consistent spots that show up across multiple photos, particularly in bright sky areas or uniform backgrounds.

Both Lightroom and Photoshop offer specialized tools designed to tackle these imperfections efficiently. Understanding when to use each application's strengths can streamline your workflow and deliver professional results.

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Practical Tips

Master dust removal with these essential techniques for cleaner images:

• Use Lightroom's Spot Removal tool for quick fixes across multiple images from the same shoot
• Set your brush size slightly larger than the dust spot to ensure complete coverage
• Work at 100% zoom level to accurately identify and target small sensor spots
• Switch to Photoshop's Healing Brush for complex areas where Lightroom's tool struggles
• Create a separate layer in Photoshop for dust removal to maintain non-destructive editing

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