How to Make a Mirror Reflection in Photoshop

Whether you are working for a client or it's your personal project to create a captivating mirror image using Adobe Photoshop. There could be a range of purposes behind creating a mirror reflection in Photoshop. You may want to give a water-reflection effect to your image, you may want it for a magazine cover page, wall art, thumbnail, or some other reason. Whatever your motto is! This step-by-step tutorial will guide you to create distinguished images using the mirror Photoshop effect.

Let's begin!

What Mirror Reflection Means in Image

The mirror effect is just what it sounds like. An original image with its reflection in any of four directions (top, bottom, right, and left).

Photoshop also allows you to create multiple mirror images. At the end, we'll also show you how to create multiple or infinite mirror images using Photoshop. The one you observe when you place two glasses opposite to each other. Excited?

Compatible Version of Photoshop to be Used

You can use any version of Photoshop. All versions of Photoshop are good enough for creating mirror reflections. However, it is always best to use the latest version of Photoshop as it contains the latest features that will give the best results.

How to Create Mirror Image Effect in Photoshop? (Two-Method Tutorial)

Here, I have shown how you can create a mirror reflection in Photoshop. We will use the latest version of Photoshop and two methods to create mirror reflections. You can choose anyone based on your convenience. By the end, you will be able to create stunning mirror reflections in Photoshop.

Photoshop doesn't offer us any Photoshop mirror image shortcut tool or facility that'll transform your image into a mirror image. Due to this, we have to create a mirror image manually. However, the process is very simple, even for beginners.
First, we'll take a look at the simple methods and then, a little more sophisticated one. Let's get started.

1. Firstly, open and select the image, and open it using Photoshop.
Duplicate the layers using Ctrl+J. You also use the layers panel to duplicate the layer of your photo.

2. Go to Edit > Transform > Flip Horizontal. This will flip the image horizontally.

3. Move or drag the flipped layer aside and adjust the image to look natural.

4. Right-click on the rectangular marquee tool present on the tools bar on the left.

5. Select the axis part using the rectangular marquee tool and remove it. Adjust both images until it looks like a realistic mirror image. There you have it! Further, you can save the image or make additional changes to it.

Now, let's dive into a somewhat similar yet more effective method of mirroring a given image.

Step 1: Select Your Image

Select the image you want to transform and open it using Photoshop. If you don't have an image or want some sample image for the initial experiment. Then, you can go to Photoshop Gallery or another stock image website that offers free images for personal or commercial use.

Step 2: Duplicate Your Image

We start with making a copy of the original document. This will prevent us from accidentally saving the mirrored document over the original document.
Go to the 'image menu' located in the menu bar. Right-click on the duplicate. You can name the duplicate document with any name besides the original name of the document.

Further, you can close the original document from the document tab by right-clicking on the small 'x' icon on the left side.

Step 3: Crop Tool

Select the crop tool from the tools bar on the left of the Adobe Photoshop window.

Step 4: Set the Aspect Ratio

You will find the crop tool's aspect ratio in the options bar. Make sure it is selected to ratio. This will allow you to freely crop the image along all edges of the photo.

Step 5: Crop the Image

Here, you need to take care of two things. First, on which side do you want a mirror reflection (horizontally or vertically)? Second, do you want to keep empty spaces? If not, then you can crop it out.

If you are sure about the two points mentioned above, we can move forward. First of all, select the crop tool from the tools bar (located on the extreme left).

After selecting the crop tool, perform the desired cropping on your image. Once done, select 'delete cropped pixels' from the options bar. This will remove the unwanted pixels from your picture.

Step 6: Duplicate the Background Layer

Now it's time to duplicate the background layer from the layer bar. You can do this by pressing Ctrl-J or dragging the background layer down to the Add New Layer icon. It appears like a plus sign. This will create a new layer above the background. By default named as 'Background copy'.

Step 7: Use the Free Transform Command

Select the new layer, go to edit from the edit menu, and choose the free transform. Or simply press Ctrl+T.

After activation free transform, you may see the reference point from where the transformation will take place. If you don't find the reference point, then you have to check the 'toggle reference point' from the 'options bar'.

Step 8: Drag the Reference Point to the Side You Want Your Image Flipped

Once you have the reference point on your image, drag the reference point on the side you want to mirror your image.

Step 9: Use Flip Horizontal

Right-click anywhere in the image and choose the flip horizontally. Make sure free transform is selected while flipping the image horizontally.

How to Give Multiple Mirror-Effects Using Photoshop?

To give multiple mirror-reflection effects to your image. Expand your canvas on the Y-axis, top to bottom, and choose flip vertical (to flip the image vertically). This way, you will get four reflections of your image. You can repeat this process several times to create an astonishing kaleidoscopic mirror in Photoshop. Further, you can learn how to smoothen the edges of reflection using a layer mask and gradient tool.

What to Uplift Your Photo Rendering Skills?

If you are serious about photo editing and want to pursue it as a profession. Then, you should strongly consider opting for a Photoshop image editing course or a Photoshop workshop. Watching videos online will also add value, but the courses are well organized, and courses can guide you from beginner to advanced level at a balanced pace.

Fundamental skill and knowledge of image editing are a must to perform effects of mirror reflection in Photoshop. But for handling international and top-tier clients, you will need advanced Photoshop tools and bundles to streamline your photo editing and rendering process. Numerous Photoshop bundles are sold online and offline. Have a glance at the artistic Photoshop actions bundle. Adding an action bundle to the arsenal will take your image editing skills to new heights. You get twenty amazing Photoshop actions and five outlandish Photoshop templates.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How Do I Change the Reflection of an Image in Photoshop?

• Follow the steps below to create a reflection in Photoshop from different angles;
• Select the reflection in the image with the help of selection tools like magnetic lasso, marquee tool, rectangular marquee tools, etc.
• Rotate the selection and adjust the angle at which you need a new reflection.
• You can use Gaussian blur or reduce the opacity to create a realistic reflection.

Q2. Is There a Mirror tool in Photoshop?

Unfortunately, there is no such Photoshop reflect tool that'll extract reflected images in Photoshop. You have to create it manually.

Q3. How Do I Fix Light Reflection in Photoshop?

Sometimes, your image will get a dull shine due to further reflection on a shiny object. Here, you can use Camera Raw Filter to clear up your image reflection.