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Reflection Image

To have a reflection, we need to start with something to reflect.

This technique can be used with text or images - I'm using the image below, which I grabbed from clantemplates.com in their renders gallery.

If you're using an image, open it up and make sure it's in RGB mode (Image, Mode, RGB mode).

For text, create your word(s) and rasterize them (right-click the text layer and choose "Rasterize Type").

Double the Canvas Height

Our next gotta-have for reflections is room to reflect in.

If you're using text, you're probably fine - you'll usually have plenty of room left over on your canvas.

Images are another matter. Click "Image" and choose "Canvas Size". Then, change the measure to "percent" and un-tick the "Relative" box. Next, put 200% in the height box. Finally, click the middle-top button with arrows in it so that the canvas will stretch straight down. Click OK.

Duplicate & Flip

We've got plenty of room to hold a "double" of our image (or text) now.

Duplicate your original image (or select it if it's on the background layer and choose Layer - New - Layer via Copy). Then, click "Edit", "Transform", "Flip Vertical". This turns your duplicated image upside down but doesn't change its orientation.

To push the flipped duplicate into place, click your "Move" tool. Use the down-arrow key on your keyboard to make the duplicate start moving down.

Using the arrow keys instead of your mouse makes the image move pixel-by-pixel in one single direction. This way, you won't be trying to make the reflection line back up - it won't ever go out of line.

Apply a Layer Mask

Layer masks are nifty things - they make it possible to completely erase parts of images without actually touching the original.

Click "Layer", choose "Layer Mask", and pick "Reveal All".

Now, you'll see a second icon on your reflection layer. This is the layer mask. The way that layer masks work is simple - black "hides" parts of the image beneath the mask, and white "reveals" them.

The other thing you'll notice is that your foreground and background colors have switched to black-and-white. This is temporary, and will only show up while the layer mask is selected.

Use your gradient tool to make a gradient that is white on top and black on bottom, making the reflection "fade" towards the bottom.

Lower the Fill

The only thing that's left to really make this look like a reflection is to fade the whole look just a bit.

Locate the 2 sets of numbers above your layers in the layer palette. One set says "Opacity", the other says "Fill". Lower the fill by adjusting the slider to the left until you have a beautiful reflection.

At this point, you can crop it up for perfection.

Shine Image

Now that you've done a reflection, the shine is going to be super-easy.

Start with an image you want to add shine to. I'm going with a simple circle that has a bevel and emboss applied.

Start the Shine

The actual shape you'll use for your shine will depend on the image and location you're placing the shine. Usually, though, it will be some form of a circle.

Create the shine-shape in white and rasterize the layer.

Add a Layer Mask

Look familiar? That's right - this is exactly the same as the reflection. Add a layer mask and gradient on the mask so that the shine smoothly fades out.