You can create a base for a mirror image of an object in Photoshop using the Flip Horizontal or Vertical options. Additional image processing consists in changing the transparency and shape of the reflected layer.
Necessary
- - Photoshop program;
- - image.
Instructions
Step 1
Load the picture to which you are going to add a reflection into a graphics editor. Unlock the image by double clicking on the padlock icon on the background layer and duplicate the layer with the Duplicate Layer option on the Layer menu.
Step 2
By default, the canvas size in an open document matches the size of the image loaded into Photoshop. In order to have enough space in the document for reflection, increase the size of the canvas by opening the settings with the Canvas Size option of the Image menu. Select percentages as units and check the Relative checkbox. If you are going to flip the object horizontally, increase the width of the canvas by fifty percent. To place a vertically flipped copy of the image, insert a value of fifty percent into the Height box.
Step 3
Apply the Flip Horizontal option of the Transform group of the Edit menu to the copy of the original layer, if the plane in which the object is reflected is on the side of it. To flip vertically, use the Flip Vertical option from the same group.
Step 4
If necessary, hide those parts of the layers that should not be visible in the final image. To do this, add a mask to each of the copies of the picture using the Add layer mask button and select an area that will be transparent with the Rectangular Marquee or Polygonal Lasso tool. Fill the mask in the selection area with black using the Paint Bucket Tool.
Step 5
Make the part of the reflection farther from the object more transparent by applying a gradient fill to the mask. If you have already edited the mask on the reflection layer, load the selection with the Load Selection option of the Select menu and invert it with the Invert option of the same menu. Turn on the Gradient Tool and select a black and white gradient from the swatches palette. Fill the selected area of the mask with a linear gradient so that the white color is superimposed on the part of the reflection that is closer to the original object.
Step 6
If the area of reflection, which is close to the source, has become transparent, invert the colors of the gradient by choosing the Invert option in its settings, and again fill the selection area of the mask.
Step 7
By clicking on the Add a new layer button, add a new layer to the document and fill it with the shade that the reflective surface should be painted with. If you are simulating a reflection in water, you can choose the darkest of the sky colors in the picture as the background. Move the created layer under both images.
Step 8
Warp the reflection if necessary to make the picture more realistic. If the object is reflected in a convex or concave surface, change the shape of the copy of the original layer using the Warp option of the Transform group of the Edit menu. Use the Wave option of the Distort group of the Filter menu to create a ripple effect on the water.
Step 9
Save the image with the reflection to a psd file using the Save As option of the File menu if you are going to continue editing it. For viewing, save the image in.jpg"
