How To Edit Ocean In Photoshop

Acquire how to create a water reflection effect in Photoshop with realistic water ripples. A pace-by-step tutorial for Photoshop CC and CS6.

As nosotros'll see, in that location'south three principal parts to creating the h2o reflection effect. Nosotros'll start by creating the basic reflection itself by making a copy of our image, dragging information technology beneath the original, and then flipping information technology so that the image on the bottom mirrors the prototype to a higher place. We'll add move mistiness and even a bluish tint to assist the reflection wait more than like water.

From at that place, nosotros'll create a displacement map, a special blazon of document in Photoshop that we can use to bend, warp and reshape our image. And finally, we'll take our displacement map and apply it to the water reflection to create realistic looking waves and ripples! We'll even add a shadow along the shoreline to make it look like information technology slopes into the water. There'southward lots of steps, simply as always, I'll walk yous through each one so y'all can hands follow along even if you're a beginner.

Here'south an example of what the water reflection issue will await like when we're done. At the end, I'll bear witness you how to experiment with the effect to get the best results with your image:

The final result.

Let'due south get started!

How To Create A H2o Reflection In Photoshop

For this tutorial, I'm using Photoshop CC but every step is uniform with Photoshop CS6.

Step ane: Open Your Image

Open the image where you lot desire to add your water reflection. Here's the image I'll exist using (sunset photo from Adobe Stock):

The original photo. Credit: Adobe Stock.

Step two: Unlock The Background Layer And Name It "Photo"

In the Layers panel, we encounter the paradigm on the Background layer. The Background layer is locked, indicated by the lock icon on its far right. Nosotros need to unlock it so we can place other layers below it, and we can do that just by renaming it. Double-click on the proper noun "Background":

Double-clicking on the Background layer.

Photoshop opens the New Layer dialog box. Name the layer "Photo" so click OK:

Renaming the Background layer "Photo".

Dorsum in the Layers panel, the Groundwork layer is now the "Photograph" layer and the lock icon has disappeared:

The Background layer is now unlocked and named "Photo".

Pace iii: Duplicate The Layer And Proper noun It "Reflection"

Brand a copy of the layer. We'll employ the copy to create the water reflection. Press and hold the Alt (Win) / Choice (Mac) key on your keyboard as you lot click and drag the "Photograph" layer down onto the New Layer icon at the bottom of the Layers panel:

Dragging the layer onto the New Layer icon while holding Alt / Selection.

Release your mouse push button, and and so release your Alt / Selection key. Photoshop opens the Indistinguishable Layer dialog box. Proper noun the layer "Reflection", and then click OK:

Naming the copy of the layer "Reflection".

The "Reflection" layer appears higher up the "Photograph" layer:

The Layers panel showing the "Reflection" layer in a higher place the primary photo.

Stride 4: Catechumen The "Reflection" Layer Into A Smart Object

Convert the "Reflection" layer into a Smart Object past clicking the menu icon in the upper right corner of the Layers console:

Clicking the Layers panel menu icon.

Choose Convert to Smart Object from the menu:

Choosing "Convert to Smart Object".

A Smart Object icon appears in the lower right of the "Reflection" layer's preview thumbnail, telling u.s.a. that the layer is now a Smart Object. Any filters we apply to the layer will now be applied as editable Smart Filters:

The "Reflection" layer is now a Smart Object.

Step 5: Add More than Canvas Infinite Below The Photograph

Add more sheet infinite below the photo to make room for the water reflection. Go upwardly to the Paradigm menu in the Carte du jour Bar and cull Canvas Size:

Choosing Sheet Size from the Image Menu.

In the Canvas Size dialog box, gear up the Width to 100 Percent and the Superlative to 200 Pct. Exit Relative unchecked. To add all of the extra space below the photo, click the top centre box in the Anchor filigree, and and then click OK to close the dialog box:

The Canvas Size dialog box.

Photoshop adds the extra space below the image. If the extra space extends off your screen, press Ctrl+0 (Win) / Command+0 (Mac) on your keyboard to choose Photoshop's Fit on Screen command:

We at present have room for the water reflection.

Step 6: Move The "Reflection" Image Into The Added Space

Move the "Reflection" image below the master photo and into the new canvas space by selecting the Move Tool from the Toolbar:

Selecting the Motility Tool.

Printing and hold your Shift cardinal as y'all click and drag the image downwards into the new canvass area. The Shift key limits the direction you tin can motility, making it piece of cake to drag straight down:

Dragging the epitome on the "Reflection" layer below the photo.

Step 7: Flip The Image Vertically

Flip the image on the "Reflection" layer vertically and so that the h2o reflection mirrors the photograph in a higher place it. Go upwards to the Edit menu in the Menu Bar, choose Transform, and and so choose Flip Vertical:

Going to Edit > Transform > Flip Vertical.

After flipping the "Reflection" layer, the bottom epitome now mirrors the tiptop:

The water now reflects the image to a higher place information technology.

Related: Create a mirror paradigm effect with Photoshop

Step 8: Drag The "Reflection" Layer Below The "Photograph" Layer

In the Layers panel, click on the "Reflection" layer and drag information technology downwards below the "Photo" layer. When a white horizontal bar appears below the "Photo" layer, release your mouse push to drib the "Reflection" layer into place:

Dragging the "Reflection" layer beneath the "Photo" layer.

Pace 9: Add Movement Blur To The Reflection

Add some move mistiness to the water reflection using Photoshop'south Motion Mistiness filter. With the "Reflection" layer still selected, go up to the Filter carte du jour in the Menu Bar, cull Mistiness, and then choose Motility Blur:

Going to Filter > Blur > Move Mistiness.

In the Motion Blur dialog box, set the Angle to 90°, and so set the Altitude to somewhere between 10-xx pixels depending on the size of your image (larger images will need more blurring). I'll go with 20 pixels. Click OK to close the dialog box:

Calculation motility blur to the water reflection.

Here's the consequence with a subtle corporeality of move blur added to the water. Afterward applying the Motion Blur filter, you lot may detect a horizontal line running through the center of the document, between the master photograph and the reflection image. That'south an artifact of the Motion Blur filter, and we'll make clean it up later. Just ignore it for now:

The water reflection effect after adding motion blur.

In the Layers panel, the Motion Blur filter appears as a Smart Filter beneath the "Reflection" layer. If you lot want to change the blur corporeality, double-click on the words "Motion Blur" to re-open the filter's dialog box and adjust the Distance value equally needed:

The Layers panel showing the Motion Mistiness Smart Filter.

Stride 10: Add A Blue Solid Color Fill Layer

Since water tends to expect blue, let's add together a bluish tint to the reflection. Click on the New Fill up or Adjustment Layer icon at the lesser of the Layers panel:

Clicking the New Fill or Adjustment Layer icon.

Cull Solid Color from the pinnacle of the list:

Adding a Solid Color fill layer.

In the Color Picker, choose a muted blueish by setting the R value to 40, the G value to 110 and the B value to 185, and then click OK to close the Color Picker:

Choosing bluish for the water in the Color Picker.

After adding the fill layer, the water reflection in the bottom half of the certificate is temporarily covered by solid blue:

The water reflection is hidden by the blue fill layer.

Step 11: Drag The Fill Layer Below The "Reflection" Layer

The reason it'due south covered in blue is because Photoshop added the fill layer, named "Colour Fill i", between the "Photo" and "Reflection" layers. Click on the fill up layer and drag it downward below the "Reflection" layer. This volition hide the blue fill layer, allowing the water reflection to re-announced. We'll bring the bluish color dorsum in a moment:

Dragging the fill layer beneath the "Reflection" layer.

Stride 12: Select The Smart Filter Layer Mask

Next, let'south arrange the appearance of the motion mistiness in the water reflection so that the mistiness effect fades away equally information technology moves farther from shore. Select the Smart Filters layer mask by clicking on the layer mask thumbnail to the left of the words "Smart Filters":

Clicking the Smart Filters layer mask thumbnail.

Step 13: Draw A Black To White Slope On The Layer Mask

Cull the Slope Tool from the Toolbar:

Selecting the Gradient Tool.

In the Options Bar, click on the small arrow to the right of the gradient colour swatch, and then choose the Black to White gradient by double-clicking on its thumbnail (third from the left, height row). This selects the gradient and closes the Gradient Picker:

Choosing the Black to White gradient.

Nonetheless in the Options Bar, make sure the Linear gradient fashion is selected by clicking its icon (direct to the right of the gradient color swatch):

Choosing Linear for the gradient style.

Click at the bottom of the certificate to set a starting point for the gradient. Keep your mouse button held down and drag up to the eye (to the top of the water reflection prototype). Concord your Shift key as you drag to brand it easier to elevate straight upwards vertically:

Drawing a vertical gradient across the water reflection.

Release your mouse button to complete the slope. The motion blur effect now gradually fades equally information technology moves from the meridian of the water reflection to the bottom:

The water reflection after fading the motion blur.

Step 14: Load The Layer Mask As A Pick

Now that we've faded the motility mistiness effect, let'due south fade the water reflection itself and then that it blends in with our blue fill layer. We'll do that past adding an exact copy of our layer mask to the "Reflection" layer. Printing and hold the Ctrl (Win) / Command (Mac) key on your keyboard and click on the Smart Filters layer mask thumbnail. This loads the layer mask every bit a selection (a selection outline will appear in the document):

Holding Ctrl (Win) / Command (Mac) and clicking the layer mask thumbnail.

Step 15: Add A Layer Mask To The "Reflection" Layer

Brand sure the "Reflection" layer is selected, and then click the Add Layer Mask icon at the bottom of the Layers console:

Clicking the "Add Layer Mask" icon.

Photoshop converts the selection outline into a new layer mask, giving us an identical mask with the aforementioned black to white slope on the "Reflection" layer:

The "Reflection" layer's mask shows the same gradient as the Smart Filters mask.

With the layer mask added, the water reflection now gradually fades from tiptop to bottom into the blue from our Solid Colour fill up layer:

The water reflection at present fades to blue.

Step 16: Lower The Intensity Of The Blueish

If the blue looks likewise potent, you can fade it in Photoshop's Properties panel. Make certain the layer mask thumbnail on the "Reflection" layer is selected. So, in the Properties panel, lower the Density value past dragging the slider to the left. The more you lot lower it, the more the bluish colour will fade away. I'll lower mine down to 50%:

Lowering the Density of the layer mask to fade the bluish colour.

And now the blue in the h2o is more subtle:

The color of the h2o now looks more natural.

Step 17: Combine The "Reflection" And Make full Layer Into A Smart Object

We need to combine the "Reflection" layer and the fill layer below information technology into a unmarried Smart Object. With the "Reflection" layer selected, printing and concord your Shift key and click on the make full layer. This selects both layers at once:

Selecting the "Reflection" and fill layers in the Layers panel.

Click the bill of fare icon in the upper right of the Layers panel:

Clicking again on the Layers panel menu icon.

Choose Convert to Smart Object:

Choosing "Convert to Smart Object".

Both layers at present appear in the Layers panel equally a single Smart Object named "Reflection":

The two layers accept been combined into one Smart Object.

Step eighteen: Create A New Aforementioned Size Document

To make the reflection look more than like water, we'll add ripples to information technology using a displacement map. The deportation map needs to be a separate Photoshop document, and information technology needs to exist the aforementioned size every bit our current document. Brand sure the "Reflection" Smart Object is selected in the Layers console, and then go up to the Select card and choose All. This places a selection outline around the unabridged image:

Going to Select > All.

Get up to the Edit carte and cull Copy to copy the image to the clipboard:

Going to Edit > Re-create.

To create the new certificate, go up to the File menu and choose New:

Going to File > New.

This opens the New Document dialog box. Since we copied our paradigm to the clipboard, Photoshop automatically sets the Width, Height and Resolution of the new document to the aforementioned values as the original document. Click Create (Photoshop CC) or OK (CS6) to create the document:

Photoshop matches the width, summit and resolution of the primary document.

Step 19: Add together Racket

The first thing we'll do with our displacement map is add together some racket. In the new document, become upward to the Filter card, cull Dissonance, and so cull Add Noise:

Going to Filter > Noise > Add Noise.

In the Add Noise dialog box, set the Corporeality to 400%, then choose Gaussian and Monochromatic at the bottom. Click OK to shut the dialog box. Photoshop fills the document with dissonance (little blackness and white dots):

The Add together Noise filter settings.

Step 20: Add Mistiness To Soften The Noise

Soften the noise using the Gaussian Blur filter. Go upwards to the Filter menu, choose Mistiness, and so choose Gaussian Mistiness:

Going to Filter > Mistiness > Gaussian Blur.

In the Gaussian Blur dialog box, set the Radius value to 2 pixels and and then click OK:

Softening the noise with Gaussian Blur.

Step 21: Utilize "Emboss" To The Cherry Channel

Open the Channels panel by clicking its tab adjacent to the Layers panel:

Switching from the Layers panel to the Channels panel.

Click on the Ruddy aqueduct to select it:

Selecting the Ruby-red channel.

Go up to the Filter menu, cull Stylize, and and so choose Emboss:

Going to Filter > Stylize > Emboss.

In the Emboss dialog box, set the Angle to 90°, the Height to 1 pixel and the Corporeality to 500%. Click OK:

The Emboss filter settings for the Cherry-red aqueduct.

Step 22: Apply "Emboss" To The Green Channel

Click on the Light-green channel to select it:

Selecting the Green channel.

Go back up to the Filter menu, cull Stylize, and again choose Emboss. Leave the Height prepare to 1 pixel and the Amount at 500%, merely modify the Angle to 180°. Click OK:

Changing the Bending to 180° for the Green channel.

Step 23: Select The RGB Channel And Re-Open The Layers Panel

Click on the RGB channel at the superlative to select information technology. This turns all three color channels (Red, Green and Bluish) back on:

Selecting the RGB channel.

Then switch back to the Layers panel by clicking its tab:

Re-opening the Layers console.

Pace 24: Unlock The Groundwork Layer

We need to unlock the Background layer and so we can reshape it. In Photoshop CC, simply click on the lock icon. In Photoshop CS6, press and hold your Alt (Win) / Option (Mac) key and double-click on the Background layer. This renames the layer "Layer 0" and the lock icon disappears:

Unlocking the Background layer.

Footstep 25: Zoom Out From The Document

In a moment, we're going to reshape the prototype, but to do that, we'll demand lots of room. Press and concur the Ctrl (Win) / Command (Mac) central on your keyboard and press the minus key (-) repeatedly to zoom manner out of the document until the image appears very small in the center:

Zooming far out of the document before resizing it.

Step 26: Transform The Perspective Of The Epitome

Go up to the Edit carte, choose Transform, and and then cull Perspective:

Going to Edit > Transform > Perspective.

Click on the handle in either the bottom left or correct corner and drag information technology far abroad from the paradigm. The further you drag, the greater the perspective effect you'll create:

Dragging the bottom correct corner handle away from the paradigm.

There's no specific value to use, but if we await in my Options Bar, we see that I've dragged the Width (W) value to around 3000%. Press Enter (Win) / Return (Mac) on your keyboard to have the transformation:

The Width (W) value afterward dragging the handle.

Footstep 27: Zoom In On The Document

To zoom dorsum in on the image, in one case again printing and agree the Ctrl (Win) / Command (Mac) cardinal on your keyboard and this fourth dimension, printing the plus sign (+) repeatedly. At this closer view, we can run into the perspective effect we've created, and the image looks a lot similar water ripples gradually moving further off into the altitude:

The h2o ripples are taking shape.

Step 28: Ingather The Image

To keep the file size minor and avoid whatever problems when we go to save information technology equally a displacement map, crop away the hidden pixels on the sides. Go upwardly to the Select card and choose All. A pick outline appears around the epitome:

Going to Select > All.

Go up to the Image menu and cull Crop. Information technology won't await similar annihilation has happened, just all of the subconscious areas on the sides are now cropped away:

Going to Image > Crop.

To remove the selection outline, go back up to the Select menu and choose Deselect:

Going to Select > Deselect.

Related: How to crop images in Photoshop CC

Step 29: Calibration The Height Of The Image

Finally, since the displacement map needs to affect only the water reflection in the bottom one-half of the document, let's scale the pinnacle of the prototype. This will also enhance the perspective effect fifty-fifty farther. Go up to the Edit bill of fare and cull Free Transform:

Going to Edit > Free Transform.

Click on the top handle and elevate it down into the center of the document. Once you become shut to the eye, it should snap into place. Press Enter (Win) / Return (Mac) on your keyboard to accept it:

Dragging the tiptop transform handle into the center.

Pace 30: Save The Displacement Map As A Photoshop .PSD File

We've created the deportation map and we're ready to save it. Go up to the File menu and choose Relieve As:

Going to File > Relieve As.

In the Save As dialog box, name the file "displacement-map" and save it to your Desktop or other location where you tin can easily find information technology. Make certain the Format is gear up to Photoshop and so that the file will be saved as a .PSD file, and and so click Save. If Photoshop asks if yous want to plough on Maximize Compatibility for the file, click OK:

Naming and saving the displacement map every bit a Photoshop .PSD file.

Step 31: Switch To Your Primary Document

Switch dorsum to your h2o reflection document by clicking on its tab:

Switching from the displacement map to the water reflection document.

If you're yet seeing the pick outline effectually the image from when we copied it, become up to the Select card and choose Deselect:

Going to Select > Deselect.

Step 32: Apply The Readapt Filter

Apply the displacement map to the h2o reflection. With the "Reflection" Smart Object selected in the Layers panel, become up to the Filter menu, choose Misconstrue, and then choose Readapt:

Going to Filter > Distort > Displace.

This opens the Displace dialog box. At the top are the Horizontal Calibration and Vertical Scale options. These 2 options control how much the deportation map will curve, warp and reshape the epitome. Horizontal Scale controls the width of the baloney and Vertical Calibration controls the height. To create the water ripples, you'll by and large get improve results using a low Horizontal Scale value and a higher Vertical scale value. The exact values you need will depend mainly on the size of your epitome but also on your subject area, so you'll want to experiment.

In my instance, I'll prepare the Horizontal Scale to ten and the Vertical Scale to 80. Leave Displacement Map set to Stretch To Fit and Undefined Areas fix to Repeat Edge Pixels, and then click OK:

The Displace dialog box.

Choose your displacement map from where yous saved it, and then click Open:

Selecting the displacement map.

Photoshop applies the displacement map to the h2o reflection, and with this image, the settings I chose create a nice, subtle ripple effect:

The water reflection with the displacement map applied.

Stride 33: Experiment With The Displace Settings

In the Layers panel, the Displace filter appears as a Smart Filter below the "Reflection" Smart Object. To try different Horizontal and Vertical Scale values, double-click on the discussion "Readapt" to re-open the dialog box:

Double-click "Readapt" to re-open the Smart Filter.

This fourth dimension, I'll exit the Horizontal Calibration prepare to 10 but I'll increase the Vertical Scale to 120. Note that I'chiliad working with a fairly large image. Smaller images will generally demand smaller values to get the same results:

Experimenting with the Displace settings.

Click OK to close the dialog box. Photoshop will ask y'all to reselect your displacement map. And here we meet that this time, the higher Vertical Scale value creates stronger, more obvious water ripples:

Unlike Displace settings volition give y'all different results.

Step 34: Stretch The "Reflection" Smart Object Upward

If we look forth the top of the h2o reflection where the two images meet, we see some blue artifacts caused by the deportation map:

The Displace filter created artifacts along the pinnacle of the h2o reflection.

To clean those upwards, brand sure the "Reflection" Smart Object is selected in the Layers panel, and then go upward to the Edit bill of fare and choose Gratuitous Transform:

Going to Edit > Free Transform.

Photoshop will warn you lot that whatsoever Smart Filters you've applied will be turned off while you're in Transform mode. Click OK:

Clicking OK to accept the message.

Click on the top handle and drag information technology slightly upwards to stretch the h2o reflection image until the blue artifacts are hidden behind the main paradigm. Printing Enter (Win) / Render (Mac) on your keyboard when y'all're washed:

Stretching the reflection image to hide the artifacts behind the main photograph.

Pace 35: Crop The Epitome

You may also notice some problem areas forth the very bottom of the h2o reflection, again caused by the displacement map. Or, you may merely want to crop some of the reflection away. In either case, select the Crop Tool from the Toolbar:

Selecting the Crop Tool.

Photoshop places a cropping box around the image. Click on the lesser handle and drag it upward to crop abroad the bottom of the reflection. Press Enter (Win) / Return (Mac) when you're washed to crop the epitome:

Cropping away some of the water reflection along the bottom.

Footstep 36: Add A Shadow Along The Shoreline

Finally, to complete the water reflection effect, add a shadow forth the shoreline to give it some depth, as if the footing slopes into the water. Select the "Photo" layer in the Layers panel:

Selecting the "Photo" layer.

Add a new layer in a higher place information technology past clicking the New Layer icon:

Clicking the "New Layer" icon.

Select the Rectangular Marquee Tool from the Toolbar:

Selecting the Rectangular Marquee Tool.

Drag out a rectangular selection around the shoreline:

Cartoon a choice that extends higher up and below the shoreline.

Fill the selection with black by going up to the Edit carte du jour and choosing Fill up:

Going to Edit > Fill.

In the Make full dialog box, set Contents to Black and and then click OK:

Setting the Contents option to Black.

The selection is at present filled with black:

The option after filling it with blackness.

Remove the option outline by going up to the Select carte du jour and choosing Deselect:

Going to Select > Deselect.

Soften the edges by going upwards to the Filter card, choosing Blur, and and then choosing Gaussian Blur:

Going to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur.

In the Gaussian Blur dialog box, drag the Radius slider towards the right until the edges announced nice and soft. For a larger prototype, a value of between xxx-forty pixels works well. For smaller images, effort 15-20 pixels. Click OK to close the dialog box:

Dragging the Radius slider to soften the edges.

Here's the result after softening the edges:

The blackness area looks more similar a shadow after softening the edges.

Finally, lower the opacity of the shadow to blend it in with the image. The Opacity option is found in the upper correct of the Layers panel. I'll lower mine downwards to l%:

Lowering the layer opacity to fade the shadow into the image.

And with that, we're washed! Here, later fading the shadow into the shoreline, is my final water reflection effect:

The terminal h2o reflection effect.

And at that place we have it! That's how to add a realistic water reflection to an image with Photoshop! To have the effect fifty-fifty further, try adding rain to your image so calculation a rainbow! Visit our Photo Effects section for more Photoshop effects tutorials!

Source: https://www.photoshopessentials.com/photo-effects/water-reflection-effect-in-photoshop-cs6/

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