Easy Professional Reflections in Photoshop

When done properly, reflections created in Photoshop can look just as professional and realistic and ones done in 3D rendering programs like 3DS Max and Poser. You can also get much more creative using Photoshop because you have total control of every element of your reflections.

This process works the same with both text and objects. You can combine a line of text and a shape, for example, in something like a website header or a forum signature and reflect the whole thing in just a couple steps.

You will need a copy of Photoshop (any version from 7.0 through the current CS2 will work - but this tutorial is written using CS2 so the location of some tools may vary if you're using a different version) to perform this tutorial, but nothing else. It is written with a beginning user in mind, so you shouldn't have any major problems following along.

Making Professional Reflections

1. Create a new canvas (File, New). If you have a specific purpose in mind for this reflection (a website header, for example), make the new canvas sized to the dimensions you need. I'm just using a 400 x 250 canvas. Make sure the document is in RGB mode with a white background.

2. Type your text. Remember that the font you use will do a lot to portray the "environment" of your piece, so choose something that is appropriate. If you will be using a shape or graphic in your piece, add it in and size it so that its bottom edge is in line with the bottom of your text. Not sure how to resize? Click "Ctrl" + "T" on your keyboard. This will bring up the resizing handles. Then, hold the "Shift" key down on your keyboard while you drag the handles in - this makes your graphic/shape keep its proportions.

3. Duplicate both of your layers. To do this, right-click the text layer and choose "Duplicate Layer". Do the same with your shape or graphic, if you're using one.

4. Flip both of your duplicated layers vertically. To do this, select one of the duplicated layers and then go to "Edit", hover over "Transform", and click "Flip Vertical". Repeat this with your other duplicated layer, so that you have a mirror reflection, upside down, of both your text and your graphic. Then, select the "Move" tool and use your down arrow key on your keyboard to move the layers into place. Both your upside-down text and graphic should be about 2-3 pixels away from the right-side-up ones.

5. Now it's time to add a layer mask - this will lay the groundwork for our professional reflection. Select your upside-down text layer and go to "Layer", choose "Layer Mask", and click "Reveal All". You'll notice that this changes your colors to black and white in your tools palette. Choose your gradient tool and use the black and white to create a gradual fade. Don't worry - you don't have to "select" anything - it will be done for you. Just create a gradient and watch the text fade out. Repeat this with your upside-down graphic layer if you are using one.

6. Last step - we need to create a bit of shadow to make it look like there's a division between the top and bottom layers other than just the way the bottom ones fade out. To do this, select your elliptical (circle) SHAPE tool and draw a long oval. Right-click the oval's layer and choose "Rasterize Layer". Then, go to "Filter", choose "Blur" and click "Gaussian Blur". Adjust the slider until you have a smooth, blurry shadow.

That's it! Experiment with the look of your background to achieve even more effects.