The problem with the clone stamp, cloning lighter then the selected area happens when: For example, I am working on a Bald Eagle. I make a background copy and do a S/H adjustment. I then select the body and wings, excluding the head and do a levels adjustment to boast the exposure. I then select the clone stamp to clean up small areas of sky that I mistakenly included in the selection. When I try to clone those tiny bits of sky back to their original color, that's when the clone stamp clones lighter. I am working on the same levels layer I made the adjustment. I tried cloning on the background copy but it won't clone on that layer. I am always running into this same problem but I don't know if it's always the same scenario. I seem to be missing something basic here.
Still confused. Ted.