Reflections
Using mirror images to deeply
explore your subject
Objectives
• When you finish this activity, you will be able to:
– Compose photographs using a mirror as a
reflective source
– Compose photographs using water as a reflective
source
– Create images using reflections created in
Photoshop
Reflections
• Capturing a reflection adds an
interesting or abstract look to a photo
• Use a variety of surfaces to reflect
your image
This is a major grade project Get creative!
Mirrors
Mirrors
• Mirrors
Use pic of royals dancer in
mirror
Reflections
Mirrors
Mirrors
Mirrors
Mirrors
Mirrors
Glasses
Glasses
Water
Water
Water
Water
Eyes
Bubbles
Glass
Counters
Counters
Floors
Floors
Floors
How do we create a
reflection?
1. Open your image in Photoshop
2. Go to Image>Canvas Size
3. To the right of Anchor, click the top middle
arrow
4. Change Inches to Percent and change the
Height to 200. Click OK
5. Make a copy of the layer by pressing Control J
How do we create a
reflection?
6. Make sure your new layer is labeled Layer 1 and
change it if necessary
7. Go to View and make sure Rulers and Snap are
checked
8. Go to the top ruler and drag a guideline to the centerit will snap in place
9. Open your Rectangular Marquee Tool and select the
image only and not the white space below the image.
10. Make a copy of Layer 1 by pressing Control J
How do we create a
reflection?
11. Make a copy of the copy by pressing Control J again - you
should now see Layer 2 Copy, Layer 2, Layer 1, and then
Background as your layers
12. Press Control T and then move to the top of your image
13. You should see a straight double arrow when you move
your cursor to the top
14. Drag the top of the image to the bottom and it will snap
into place
15. Drag your Layer 2 Copy below Layer 2 and name it
Reflection
How do we create a
reflection?
16. Name Layer 2 whatever your photo is of
17. Drag Layer 1 to the trash
18. Make the Reflection layer active and make a
copy of it by pressing Control J - label it
Reflection Copy
19. Go to Filter>Blur>Motion Blur
20. Make the Angle 90 degrees and the Distance 35
Pixels - press OK
How do we create a
reflection?
21. Make the layer you named after your picture active by pressing it,
then press Control-Shift-Alt-E - this will make a composite
snapshot of the entire image
22. Open the Gradient Tool and make sure the Linear Gradient Tool
is highlighted - if you’re not sure, float the mouse over the tools and
their names will appear
23. Click on the arrow next to the Gradient box and choose the
second option to the right
24. Go to the bottom of the image and press and hold Shift as you
drag the gradient tool up to the middle of the image
25. Reduce the opacity to 30% (above the layers)
How do we create a
reflection?
26. Hide the Guideline by pressing Control H
If it doesn’t look right, ask your classmates
several times before you ask me!
Assignment I: mirrors
1. Bring your camera to class EVERY DAY THIS WEEK
2. Compose three photos using mirrors as a reflective surface
– You may bring your own mirrors or use mine
– Only one of the photos may be taken in this classroom
Save your photos to your H drive as [your last name] Mirrors1
[class period], and then turn in to Mr. Nigrelli via Google
Drive by the end of class on Tuesday, February 28th
Assignment II: water
1. Bring your camera to class EVERY DAY THIS WEEK
2. Compose three photos using water as a reflective surface
– Shoot these photos on your own time, at home, or on
campus
Save your photos to your H drive as [your last name] Water1
[class period], and then turn in to Mr. Nigrelli via Google
Drive by the end of class on Thursday, March 2nd
Assignment III: Create your
own
1. Bring your camera to class EVERY DAY THIS WEEK
2. Create three images using reflections in Photoshop
Save your images to your H drive as [your last name]
Photoshop Reflection1 [class period], and then turn in to Mr.
Nigrelli via Google Drive by the end of class on Friday, March
3rd