Congratulations to Javier Sotomayor, November 2023 PFRE Photographer of the Month! The theme this month was "Open." Javier Sotomayor - Entry #879 Dave Koch - Entry #877 Peter Wingfield - Entry #874 Here's what Javier has to say: Hello First of all I wa ...
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If you know how to create a reflection in Photoshop, you can hide foreground elements that prevent the viewer from focusing on the subject. Adding reflections can also help change your straightforward photos to something unique, richer, and artistic.
Photoshop is versatile and provides you with varying ways to add reflections to an image. However, the best method will depend on the photo. With the following tips, you can add reflections to all sorts of reflective surfaces in your image, such as mirrors, water, and windows.
The first step is to open the photo to which you want to add the reflection in Photoshop. Keep in mind that not all photos are suitable for adding reflections, and you need to pre-visualize and see whether the photo will look realistic after adding the reflections.
For instance, the reflection will look more realistic if the image has a clean line at the bottom where the reflection will be starting. Depending on the photo you are working on, you might need to crop the bottom part straight and clean.
You might even need to use the quick selection tool to remove the photo's background and add a reflection to the cutout. For example, if you are adding reflections to a piece of furniture shot with many other interior details you don't need, you can cut out the background.
Considering that the reflection size will be almost equal to the size of the original subject, you will need to increase the size of the canvas to give room for the reflection layer. If you are uncertain how much you should increase the size, you can simply double it.
Whether you are still on the background layer or you created a new layer when removing the image background, you will need to duplicate the current layer after increasing the size of the canvas. Click on the layer you want to duplicate and drag it to the new layer icon at the bottom.
You can also hit the Ctrl + J on your keyboard if you're using a Windows PC or Command + J if you're using a Mac. It is advisable to specify the layer's name to easily track your workflow.
If you want to carry out non-destructive edits that don't cause image degradation, convert the layers to a smart object. In the layers panel, highlight both layers, right-click and choose the Convert to Smart Object option. Drag the newer layer to the space you created below the original image.
You will have two similar images stacked on top of one another by now. That means you will need to vertically flip the lower layer for it to be a reflection of the original one. Check for the padlock icon on the right-hand side of the layer name to see whether the layer is locked.
Typically, you won't be able to modify a locked layer. Click on the padlock icon to unlock the layer, click on Edit, select Transform, and choose Flip Vertical to flip the layer upside-down. Align the lower layer with the original layer to look like a mirror image.
Whether the reflection is in water or on a pavement, the quality of the reflected image cannot match that of the original image in real-life. That means you also need to degrade the quality of the reflected image in the lower layer for the reflection to look realistic.
The best way of doing things is by adding a motion blur to the lower layer. On the top bar menu, click on Filter, Blur, and choose Motion Blur.
Adjust the angle to 90 degrees, and then play around with the distance value until you get the desired results. Ensure the positioning is correct such that there is no gap between the top and the bottom layer.
Although you will have a blurred reflection, you will need to add some noise to make the reflection more realistic. You might also want the reflection to have the water effect. However, the settings will depend on the photo resolution and size.
You can make the reflection more appealing by simulating shadows with shading to make your reflection look three-dimensional. Keep in mind that a reflection doesn't have a shadow, so you won't be creating actual shadows.
You should now add the displacement image, which is the typical grayscale version of the reflection layer. The displacement layer will help add texture and make the reflection more realistic. Start by creating a duplicate of the reflection layer.
Select the copy of the reflection layer, navigate to Filter, Distort, and choose Displace. Adjust both the horizontal and vertical scales to 9. However, this value will depend on your image resolution and size.
That means you can play around with the values until you get your desired results. Typically, a new window will pop up when you click OK. Browse and choose the distortion image.
Although you will have a realistic reflection, you can consider refining it using a brush tool to make it look more natural. Select the Layer Mask on the newer reflection layer at the layers panel. Choose the brush tool from the left panel and set the color to black.
Hit the Ctrl + Alt + Right-click and drag to the right to increase the size of the brush if you are using a Windows PC. On the other hand, hit Command + Option Right-click and drag to the right to increase the size of the brush if you are using a Mac.
Ensure you are working on the layer mask and not the actual layer. Set the opacity of the brush to 20% and hardness to 0%, and then paint the top half where the reflection layer meets the original image.
Considering you are working on different layers, you need to merge them to form a single image with a reflection. Choose the bottom two layers in the layers panel, right-click, and select Merge Layers.
Depending on your desired reflection effect, you might need to darken the reflection slightly. Navigate to Image, Adjustments, and then choose Curves. Click and drag the adjustment line in the middle of the curves as you watch how the reflection darkens.
Since you set the size manually, you might need to crop the bottom of the image. Finally, navigate to File, Save As. Specify the photo's name and the file format in the dialog that will pop up, and then click Save.
Yes, it's possible to clean up the reflection in Photoshop by replacing it with the surrounding image pixels. Navigate to the Toolbox, select Clone brush tool, and choose the Option. Select a clear background near the reflection and then select the reflection itself.
No, reflection doesn't have a shadow because reflection is light bouncing back. Considering that a shadow means the absence of light after an obstacle blocks it, the absence of light can't bounce back. That means you don't have to add shadows when adding reflection to real estate photos in Photoshop.
Yes, it's possible to create a ripple effect in Photoshop. Navigate to Filter, Distort and then choose Zigzag. In most cases, you will need to set the Ridges to 10, Amount to 40, Style to Pond Ripples. However, the values might vary depending on your selection and photo size.
Consider adding reflections to your real estate photos if you want to highlight the best features and give them a clean and sleek look. Knowing how to create a reflection in Photoshop will save you the hassle of capturing it when shooting photos.
