Add realistic reflections using Clone Stamp

You can create a reflection using different techniques and tools of Photoshop. Creating a mirrored reflection involve many steps like selecting object, duplicating and transforming layers, adjusting opacity, and more. In this tutorial we’ll try to create quickly a realistic reflection using Clone Stamp tool and the Clone Source feature of Photoshop CS4.

Final Image Preview

Step 1. In Adobe Photoshop CS4, open your image (to make this tutorial I have used Maybach Exelero Side Promo Car Wallpaper from carwallpapers4you ).

Step 2. Click on Create a new layer icon in the Layers panel to create a new layer.

Step 3. Select the Clone Stamp Tool (S), in Options bar find the Simple drop-down menu and select All Layers options. Click on Clone Source panel icon to open the Clone Source panel (F5). In the Clone Source panel click on Maintain Aspect Ratio icon to unlink the Width and Height. Type –100 in the Height box to set the vertical scale. Check Show Overlay options and reduce the preview Opacity to 50%. Uncheck Clipped, Auto Hide, and Invert options if these are selected.

Step 4. Press Alt (Mac: Option) and click at the bottom of the object to be mirrored to sample it.

Step 5. Move the cursor away from the image window. The reflection appears as an overlay on the image.

Step 6. Uncheck Show Overlay options to turn off the overlay.

Step 7. Click and drag using the Clone Stamp Tool (S) and paint in the reflection using a large brush. Start painting close to the spot you originally sampled.

Finish painting in the reflection

Step 8. Click on Add layer mask icon to add a layer mask.

Press D to set the Foreground and Background colors to white and black.

Step 9. Click the Gradient tool (G), in Options bar select the Foreground to Background gradient. Click and drag from the bottom of the original object to the bottom of the reflection using Foreground to Background gradient.

The reflection appears to fade away from the object.

Step 10. Set the layer Opacity to 60% to make the reflection appear realistic. Also you can change the layer Blending Mode to Soft Light to make the reflection more realistic.