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In a previous tutorial Here, I demonstrated in detail how to utilise Photoshop CS, CS2,
CS3, CS4, CS5 (and Extended’s) Clone Stamp Tool: this tutorial demonstrates how to paint a reflection using Photoshop CS3 and CS4 (Extended’s) Clone Source Panel/Palette:- I also demonstrate how to fade the reflection using a Graduated Gradient Mask. To work along, you are welcome to download the Start Image I am working with Here. Unzip the file and open the image onto Photoshop workspace.
Note
Due to the nature of the Clone Tool, this technique will only work if the subject you are cloning has a solid plain-coloured background such as the Start Image I have prepared.
The Clone Tool
Understand the Workspace
Undo and Navigation Steps
Two ways of undoing steps are from the top menu, Edit then Step Backwards.
Alternatively, click a previous snapshot in the History Palette.
Navigate (zoom in and pan) your image using the Navigator Palette,
or the Zoom Tool. 
Activate The Hand Tool by tapping the Spacebar, keeping the Spacebar pressed, pan your image in the usual way. 
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Open your Start Image onto Photoshop’s workspace.
Tip
Expand your photograph’s grey workspace by left-clicking and dragging out one of its corners.
Note
Ensure the Clone Tools Source Panel doesn’t transcend onto your image; if it does, left-click and drag the Source Palette away from the image. (Although the Source Panel can touch the image’s grey workspace - as it does with my example; it must not touch the image. If the Panel encroaches onto the image, when you are ready to preview the reflection in Chapter 6, the preview may not render correctly).
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2/ (To display the Layers Palette, tap your Keyboard’s F6 Key).
Now, create a New Layer by clicking the following Create a New Layer icon.
Tip
To display the Clone Source Panel/Palette: from the top menu, choose Window then click a tick before Clone Source. Your Palette/Panel will now be docked onto the right-side Palette Well. (Click the following Clone Source tab to display the Palette/Panel).
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Now, click the first Clone Source icon, as illustrated below-left.
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And still working on the New Layer, activate the Clone Stamp Tool - or tap your S Key.
Then enter the following Soft, Round Brush settings into the Clone Tool’s Options Bar.
Now, hover your cursor over the bottom of the stag’s foot, as circled blow: then press and keep pressed your Keyboard’s Alt Key. (Mac students, press Option). Now (with your
mouse), left-click. Left-clicking primes your Clone Stamp with gazelle pixels.
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From the Source Pale/Palette, (if necessary), click to deactivate the following Lock Aspect Ratio icon. When this setting is inactive, the tab won’t be highlighted - as illustrated below.
Note
This is what an unwanted active Aspect Ratio tab looks like  .
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Now, reduce the following H (Height) setting to Minus 100% (-100%) by left-clicking and dragging the slider to the left  .
Important Note
Ensure your Source Panel settings are identical to my screen capture below.
Whilst you are targeting with your cursor the H box - as illustrated above; your image will display a preview of the pixels you will be painting (in this instance it is the gazelle) - as illustrated above. However, as soon as you move your cursor away, the mirrored effect will disappear.
Tip
To retain the reflected gazelle, mark the following Show Overlay box. Please Note, until you click your left-mouse button - when the Show Overlay option is marked, the duplicated gazelle will move in the direction of your cursor.
Now you have prepared the Source Palette, it is time to paint in your reflection using the Clone Stamp Tool. Therefore, hover your cursor over the following area, then begin the painting process.
After you have fully painted-in your reflection - as illustrated below, you are ready for the next step.
Tip
Because it has been created on its own Layer, you can reposition the reflection closer to the original by dragging it with the Move Tool active  .
In addition, you can nudge the reflection into position pixel-by-pixel by tapping the corresponding Arrow Key  .
Tip
You can remove unwanted reflection pixels using the Eraser Tool, setting it to a Small, Round, Hard Brush.
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Because you have painted the reflection onto a separate Layer, you can further effect it by changing the Blending Mode from Normal to Luminosity, and lowering the Opacity to around 50%.
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However, a more effective way of improving the painted reflection is by applying a Graduated Gradient Mask.
To apply a Gradient Mask, first, revert your image back to its pre-Blending Mode state - Edit then Step Backwards: then click the following Create Layer Mask icon found at the foot of the Layers Palette.
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Now, press your D Key to set the default White Foreground and Black Background colours.
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Then from the Tools Toolbar, activate the Gradient Tool  .
And set the following White to Black Foreground To Background Gradient settings into its Tool Options Bar.
Now, left-click over the bottom of the top gazelle, and stretch a Gradient Line downwards, as illustrated below.
As soon as you release your mouse button the Gradient Mask will be applied - as illustrated below. For a greater fade, reapply the Gradient Line - (I applied my line twice).
Tip
Preserve the Layers by saving your work as a Photoshop File: File then Save As.
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Congratulations, you have applied a fading Graduated Gradient Mask to your lower gazelle. To finish, from the top menu, choose Layer then choose Flatten Image - then save your work.
Now you are familiar with this technique, you can have lots of fun painting in reflections.
Tip
For extra clarity, apply a Sharpening Filter: Filter then Sharpen.
Wendi E. M. Scarth. Top of Page - Home.
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