How to Create an Anaglyph Photo Effect in Photoshop

Photoshop Photo Effects

The 3D anaglyph effect is a classic technique used in photography and graphic design to simulate three-dimensional depth by separating red and cyan colors. This method became popular in cinema and printing, allowing images to come to life when viewed with red/blue 3D glasses. In this tutorial, you will learn how to transform any photograph into an anaglyph-style image without the need for advanced tools or complex editing. Although there are several methods to create this effect, today I’m going to show you a simple way to do it using the Levels Panel instead of Color Channels to achieve a striking result.

Step 1

Open your image in Photoshop.

Step 2

Press Ctrl+J on your keyboard twice to duplicate the image.

Step 3

Rename the new layers as "Red" and "Blue".

Step 4

Select the "Red" layer and go to Image > Adjustments > Levels.

Step 5

Select "Green" in the Channel dropdown menu and set the white output level to 0.

Step 6

Now select "Blue" in the Channel dropdown menu, set the white output level to 0 and click OK.

Step 7

Select the "Blue" layer and go to Image > Adjustments > Levels.

Step 8

Select "Red" in the Channel dropdown menu, set the white output level to 0 and click OK.

Step 9

In the Layers Panel, select the "Red" and "Blue" layers and set the blending mode to "Lighten".

Step 10

Select the "Red" layer and move it about 5 px to the left.

Step 11

Lastly, select the "Blue" layer and move it about 5 px to the right to reveal the anaglyph effect.

Conclusion:

As you can see, the 3D anaglyph effect is a simple technique that can add a retro, three-dimensional touch to any image. Whether for creative projects, illustrations, or just for fun, this effect is easy to achieve in Photoshop with just a few adjustments. Remember that to fully appreciate the result, you’ll need red/cyan 3D glasses, which will enhance the depth and realism of the effect.