Photo Manipulation

I want to become really good at it, but don't know where to start! Everytime i try something, i try to blend different parts together via cut and paste. I try to smooth it in to make it look like the original photo, and no matter what strategy i use (Smudge tool, pencil tool and manually put in the colors, etc.) the area turns out rough or too blurry?

How do you guys get it so SMOOTH? ;)

Nos.

Little confused bout what your attmpting....but here are some tips:

1) dont use smudge. Use the clone stamp!
2) Dont use the pencil. Instead use a low opacity brush and "build up" what your trying to do.
3) after you combine/blend the parts........select that area you just changed......feather it (15 pixels should be enough) and add noise (no pic is smooth, so noise gives it a bit of realism)

To become really good at it.....u gotta practice. it wont happen overnight. Get used to the clone stamp,brushes,sharpen/noise filters etc.

Explore Masking.

Thanks for the tips, Rodder. I am not trying for anything specific at the moment, just want some general tips.

Masking?

*n00b*

Nos.

hey nostalgia
heres a helper tut for ya
http://www.heathrowe.com/tuts/photomanip.asp

selections, duped layers and adjustment layers works wonders on photo manip.. among many other ways photoshop has to offer

hope it helps
cheers
heathrowe