I've been fixing dust and spots the same way for months and product swatches slowly lose their texture when the images…
Start by duplicating the original layer to keep it intact. Use the Spot Healing Brush to remove scratches and dust. Adjust contrast and sharpness carefully to match the original tone. Don't overdo it, as the goal is naturalness.
Use the Clone Stamp when you need to copy exact textures or details from one part of the photo to another, especially for large scratches. The Healing Brush works better for blending small flaws smoothly. Interior designers often use this for detailed restorations.
Use the 'Reduce Noise' filter or create a new layer, set it to Soft Light mode, and paint lightly with a low-opacity brush to smooth out uneven skin areas. This helps retain facial details while making the skin look more even, which is useful for portraits.
Select the unwanted object with the Lasso or Quick Selection Tool. Then, use Content-Aware Fill to replace it with background textures. Carefully refine the edges with the Clone Stamp or Healing Brush for a smooth look.
Adjust the Brightness/Contrast and Vibrance sliders in the Adjustment Layers. Focus on enhancing eyes or lips to draw attention. Interior designers might do this to make the subject more engaging in the restored image.
After restoring the main subject, align outdoor scenes if the photo is a collage or composite. Use the Transform tools and guided guides to straighten or realign parts, often needed in restoration of architectural photos by interior designers.
Photoshop’s AI-based tools like Content-Aware Fill and Neural Filters can automate removing objects or repairing textures. However, they might need manual refinements. Interior designers or photo editors can use these to save time but should verify results carefully.