Create a reflect photo effect with Paint.net

Here is something a little different from the normal content of All Subjects Covered. This post is a step-by-step tutorial that demonstrates how you can create your own photo reflection effect. A neat effect that can be added to images which you want to display on a blog or website.


Before starting: If you haven’t already got paint.net here is a link to download (free of charge!):



Step 1: Once you’ve opened the image you want to add the reflection to we need to make room for the reflected image to do this double the height of the canvas.

EDIT > CANVAS SIZE

and set HEIGHT to twice that of the original image also clear the white background.

Step 2: Duplicate the layer; Go to

LAYERS > DUPLICATE LAYER

Flip the reflection layer vertically whilst on the new layer, select;

IMAGE > FLIP VERTICAL

The reflection should be the background layer (in the screenshot I renamed it to reflection) if not switch the layers around.

Step 3: Add another layer in between the others for the gradient

Adjust the colour palette as follows

COLOUR ONE: WHITE
COLOUR TWO: WHITE (TRANSPARENCY = 25%)

Step 4: Apply a gradient effect to the gradient layer using the gradient tool

 
Drag the gradient effect up from somewhere near the bottom of the reflected image to the location of your choice on the original image.

Note if you are putting the image onto a dark background you may wish to invert the colours of the gradient layer

ADJUSTMENTS > INVERT COLOURS

Step 5: Flatten the image and save.

Tip: Before flattening the image it is an idea to save the image as a PDN file so that if you wish to create more reflected images you can just simply paste your new image on top and then repeat step 2.

IMAGE > FLATTEN

Done!

(Original Image)