Photoshop Tutorials

Learn how to make photos more dramatic with calm puddles. In this Photoshop tutorial, you will learn how to work with layers, transform tools, and layer masks to create photorealistic puddles.

Preview of Final Results

Photorealistic Puddles Photoshop Tutorial

Step 1

Open an image that you would like to add puddles to. Of course, the picture needs to have to have a floor.

Step 2

First, we'll need to create a duplicate of the layer. This layer will be used to apply the puddles and reflections.

Step 3

Create a selection of the floor. If you are using Photoshop CS3, you can use the quick selection tool to quickly create the selection. Otherwise, you can use the magic wand, magnetic lasso, or other selection tools.

Step 4

In the Layers palette, click on the add layer mask button. You should now have a layer mask with the shape of the floor as the white areas in the mask. If you got it backwards (shape of floor is black), you can choose Image > Adjustments > Invert to invert the layer mask.

Now unlink the layer with the layer mask. To do this, click on the button beside the layer thumbnail and the layer mask thumbnail.

Step 5

Now we'll create a reflection on the floor. This is a very simple trick and will make the floor look like a mirror. Currently, you should have the layer mask selected. Click on the layer thumbnail in the layer mask to select the layer (and not its layer mask).

Choose Edit > Transform > Flip Vertical. Your floor should have an effect like the image below.

The floor looks a little bit awkward because it isn't aligned properly. To fix this, choose the move tool from the tool bar and move the layer so that the horizon of the current layer meets the horizon of the original image.