Creating a Reflected Picture in Photoshop.

Author: Narnia

Tools Needed

• Photoshop 7.0.1 or higher
• An Image of your Choice (Supported by Photoshop)

This tutorial will help you create the cool reflection look used in Mac OS X and other website using Photoshop 7.0 or higher. (I am using Photoshop 7.0, but any higher version will work. Photoshop 5.0 to 6.0 may work also, but may be slightly different in interface.) I am also assuming that you have a basic working knowledge of Photoshop.

Open the file that you want to create the effect in.

To do so, go to File - > Open…

Go to File - > New…

Change the Width and Height settings to pixel mode and set them to a setting that is a few pixels wider than that of the original and more than double the height.

In this case we are using: 1100×1600 since the original was 1024×768.

Paste the Picture into the new blank image.

Now paste the picture into the new blank image and move it towards the top. Basically, you want it above the middle of the image canvas. (The blank image.)

Duplicate the image by dragging the layer that the image is on in the Layer Palette over the new layer icon. This will create a copy over the original layer.

Flip that Image.

Now, Flip the copy image by making sure the copy image layer is selected in the Layer Palette. Then go to Edit - > Transform - > Flip Vertical.

This will flip the image on the selected layer. This will be the reflection.

Now with the move tool selected and the reflection layer still selected in the Layers Palette, using the down arrow key, move/nudge the reflection layer down right below the original image.

It should look like this.

Now is where we make it look like a reflection. If the reflection layer isn't already selected in the layer palette, then make sure it is. Click on the add layer mask button on the Layers Palette. This will create a layer mask on the layer that is acting as the image's reflection.

Now click on the mask for the reflection layer to make sure that the layer mask is selection for modification.

Using the gradient tool set to black to white preset, click and drag somewhere in the middle of the image towards the top of the flipped reflection layer. This might take some undoes and redoes to get it to look just right, but play with it. (See picture for a guide.)

Start around the bottom of the arrow and end around the top.

Then change the opacity setting of the reflection layer to between 25-50% to make it look like a reflection!

For an extra final touch, add a black solid color layer! And you're done. Just remember to save your creation.