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[ 33 ]Step 22: We’re going to add a couple
finishing effects to the reflections to give
them more depth and texture. Once
again, select the Gradient tool and make
sure it’s still set to the Foreground to
Transparent preset, but switch it to the
Linear Gradient type in the Options Bar.
Press D to reset the default colors.
Step 23: Press Q to activate Quick Mask
mode. Starting just below the bottom
edge of the document in the canvas
area, hold the Shift key and drag a gra-
dient up to just past the horizon line in
the scene. The gradient will appear red-
dish, which is the Quick Mask overlay.
This is how you make a gradient-based
selection. Press Q to go back to Standard
Mode. Even though the marching ants
are there, it’s still a gradient selection.
Note: If your selection is at the top of
the image, go to Select>Inverse so it’s
at the very bottom of the image.
Go under the Filter menu to Blur and
choose Gaussian Blur. Set the Radius to
5 pixels and click OK.
Notice in the Layers panel that the
filter is applied as a smart filter, and the
selection was converted to layer mask,
hiding the effect on the back wall.