How to Create a Negative Image in Photoshop

Techwalla may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Learn more about our affiliate and product review process here.
A negative is the inverted image on film of a photograph.
Image Credit: Ig0rZh/iStock/Getty Images

In film-camera days, a camera produced negatives that were used to create photographs, which were printed on light-sensitive photographic paper. Negatives are inverted images of the photographs that are produced from them. Using Photoshop, you can create the look of a negative by using the Invert command or the adjustment layer. You might want to create images with this negative look for a project you are working on or simply as a fun exercise.

Advertisement

Using the Invert Command

Video of the Day

Step 1

Open an image in Photoshop and press "Control-I" on a Windows computer or "Command-I" on a Mac to invert the image.

Video of the Day

Step 2

Mute the colors in the inverted image by selecting Saturation in the Adjustment panel and lowering the saturation.

Advertisement

Step 3

Select "Soft Light" in the Layers panel to complete the effect.

Using the Adjustment Panel

Step 1

Open a photograph in Photoshop and navigate to the Adjustment panel.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Step 2

Click the "Invert" button in the Adjustment panel to create a negative image of your photo.

Step 3

Mute the colors in the negative by lowering the saturation in the Adjustment panel and then choose "Soft Light" in the Layers panel.

Advertisement

Advertisement

references

Report an Issue

screenshot of the current page

Screenshot loading...