Hi Rachel,
These are the simplest routes for you to patch up a large fault, like your boat:
1. A quick sufficient fix in Photoshop: Using a patch with the right color, texture and pattern. Only the simplest tools are needed, use the lasso since it will be irregular, the more the better.
Once you see the little ants dancing around this area, soften the edges by using Select, Feather to some number based on the size of the image. (For a full res image this might be 20 pixels for a 600 pixels wide version for the web just 2-6 pixels). Now switch to the "Move" tool, (top right of the tools set, looks like a "plus sign, +) and slide the selected area to cover the unwanted fault.
Soften the edges by using the Erasor tool to the patch just enough so the seams don't show.
2. Learn painlessly from Russel Brown: start with using the healing brush as suggested by Dierk:
Healing Brush instead of Clone/Stamp Tool.
Rachel, PS is only to hate if you follow the complicated routes many photographers try to sell you. Take a look at
Russel Brown's videos and be astounded how easy some things are - much easier than all the recipes in digital imaging books.
Be aware that Doc Brown is very entertaining, probably the only guy around realing knowing Photoshop, and very bad on the xTrain/Adobe TV videos. But the tutorials on his own site are marvellous.
3. Keep to Photoshop for now! Unless you have a tutor, given your frustration, hold off on Lightzone. Basic photoshop, even PS 7, will do all you need.
Just work with Russel Brown's videos. He presents photoshop with no pain at all.
4. Using a Retoucher: For very little money at all, retouch artists can do what you want for almost nothing! send the file by
http://www.yousendit.com or similar free service. They will return you your file often within hours or usually within 24 hours. I have not seen the charges but maybe we should have a bunch of test images to send to various retouchers. The ones overseas might be less costly.
Yes, it appears somehow that you are giving away control. But, I promise you, some of the most famous photographers routinely use such help. This is no different than having a wet darkroom technician who gets to know your style.
Some photographers have the ability to take fine photographs but may not have the time, patience or dexterity to fiddle with minutiae that can make the good picture excel.
I'd like to know from a retoucher what the charge would be for removing that boat?
Asher