A step by step guide for a novice

[subZero]

Hi all,

This is my first post here and I need help on how to do something. I would like to be able to get this kind of result...

wwwdot chrisjohnstonephotographic.co.uk/galleries/Abstract/content/bin/images/large/smoke_trail_1_Edit.jpg

All I know is that that the image was flipped and stitched to the original to give the symmetrical effect and then a colour mask overlaid to create the colouring.

Assuming that I have the base image on my CS2 canvas, what are the simple steps I need to take to, a) duplicate the image and flip it on the horizontal & stitch it to the original creating the symmetrical in one image, and b) how to add the colour effect. As for the colour, I've been told to,

"colour it using a colour gradient with a transparent mask or something similar."

This step (2) I also need to know how to do.
When I say step by step, I mean can you tell my mouse arrow what to click on, and select.

Any help will be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

sZ

[totoy_bibo]

it seems nobody is around to help