 Image courtesy of istockphoto.com |
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I’ve been seeing this reflected look everywhere these days… from Apple.com to software to jewelry print ads.
This look is very easy to create in Adobe Photoshop or After Effects.
Note: The image is not included with the project file because it is a stock image. The image is replaced with a solid blue placeholder. If you replace the solid with your own image, it may not line up properly because of size differences. You’ll need to reposition your image.
Instructions:
- Import your image into After Effects. Scale it to the size that you wish it to be.
- Make the image layer a 3D layer. We will be animating a camera later in the tutorial.
- Duplicate your image layer.
- On the duplicate layer, scale the X & Y values to -20.0. Scale the Z value to -100%.
- On the duplicate layer, set the Y rotation to 180°.
- Line up the bottom of the duplicate image to the bottom of the original image.
- Double click the duplicate image to open the image in layer editing mode.
- Draw a mask around the bottom portion of the image.
- Tap the F key to bring up the Mask Feather settings. Set yours to 175 or higher… whatever looks good to you.
- Close the layer window and go back to the comp window.
- Select your reflection layer. Apply Levels. Effect > Color Correction > Levels.
The idea is to make the reflection light without completely blowing it out or turning down transparency. I adjusted Output Black to 214 and left the remaining settings alone.
- Apply a camera to the comp. Layer > New > Camera. Set it to whatever size you like.
- Keyframe the Y rotation of the camera. I set it so that it rotates from 13° to 0° over 3 seconds. Do whatever looks right to you.
Other options: Use video or animate shapes or images using this method.