Just to show you what the cloning looked like and how it got worse as I played with it in Topaz Textures. In Version 4 I managed to get rid of it but Finlay is floating and I didn't like it. I didn't like any of these versions and ended up with the overblown B&W image which you can see in my mail album.
So, were you only trying to get rid of the leash? If you use content aware fill in PS it would do it in a snap, I would think. And another way to smooth it over might have been in LR, to run the adjustment brush over the area with a low flow setting and reducing the contrast. That might have worked too.
@taffy yes just the leash. For some reason my normal cloning just left a trail which I couldn't get rid of. I think my settings have changed somehow. I keep having problems with PS CC every time I get an up date something changes without warning. Not happy with it plus I don't really understand it!
Not sure what the content aware fill is? Not heard of it or used it. I didn't think to use LR - that might have saved me all this trouble! I am annoyed with PS though as I like to use it for cloning and normally it is very accurate and you cannot see where you have cloned- especially something like grass!
@pamknowler Content Aware Fill is really easy -- I think you should google a video as you could easily see it. But here goes: Step 1 - save to PS. Step 2, use the lasso to circle the offending spot or area -- a little at a time sometimes works better but try the whole thing first. Step 3 -- hit delete. Step 4 -- repeat as needed. For Step 3, if it doesn't work, instead of delete go to Edit on the menu bar at the top, and then choose "Fill" and make sure that in Fill it says 'content aware' in the bubble there. But 'delete' is easiest. Good luck!
Oh dear, sorry to see you had all that trouble, what a pain. @taffy has suggested the best way forward. Another way you might like to try is using the Patch Tool, best managed in small chunks (of lead), or alternatively, try the Spot Healing Tool. Click once on one end of the lead, hold down Shift and click on the other end and you should get a straight line 'fix-up'. Brush needs to be big enough to deal with the slight curvature.
Not sure what the content aware fill is? Not heard of it or used it. I didn't think to use LR - that might have saved me all this trouble! I am annoyed with PS though as I like to use it for cloning and normally it is very accurate and you cannot see where you have cloned- especially something like grass!