Add a shiny metal object into your image - Realistic reflection

Tags: Photoshop

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Have u ever brings a shiny metal object into your image and wonder how to create a reflection on it so the image looks more realistic? Well, this should get you to the trick.

To begin with, we’ll need a shiny object and a background picture.

Now, using the move tool, drag the object into your image and position it in the right place. You should also scale it, so it fits the image. Make sure it looks natural. Rename the object.

Once you place the object in your picture, you should change the color, contrast and brightness, level… So it fits to the image. I’m not going to detail on this.

Ok, next step is to create a reflection image for your background. Select the background layer and Dupplicate (Crtl+J) it, hit Crtl+T to distort the image and place it in the right place.

Next, flip the image either horizontally or vertically depends on the situation. In this case, we choose horizontally.

Now click on the shiny object’s layer, duplicate it (Crtl+J), then select Multiply mode for the new layers. You may notify that your object if now darker, for some reasons, you might want to change the level a bit so it’s not too dark.

Now, place the Background copy, which is the distorted image of the boy in between the shiny object’s original layer and its copy

Now once your background copy is above the shiny object’s original layer, Right click on the Background copy layer, select “Create a Clipping Mask” so the image is now clipped to the shiny object.

Select Overlay Mode for your Background Copy

Voila, your final image will look like this

You may also want to change the position of the reflection image so it looks more realistic. Note that I’m lazy so everything is created just as a demo to show you guys how to work it out. Hope this tutorial comes in helpful for you guys.

Good luck.