What is RGB splitting and chromatic aberration?

RGB splitting separates an image into its red, green, and blue color channels and offsets them from each other. The effect mimics the chromatic aberration seen in imperfect lenses and creates a distinctive “3D glasses” look with color fringing around edges.

Chromatic aberration occurs naturally when a lens fails to focus all colors to the same point. Different wavelengths of light bend at slightly different angles, causing color fringing -typically red/cyan or blue/yellow -at high-contrast edges. In glitch art, this optical phenomenon is exaggerated for aesthetic effect.

Creating RGB split effects involves duplicating your image three times, isolating one color channel per copy, then offsetting each layer. Horizontal offsets produce the classic effect; diagonal or random offsets create more chaotic results. Blend modes (typically Screen or Lighten) combine the layers while preserving color information.

The effect works particularly well on high-contrast subjects with clear edges -portraits, text, and geometric shapes. Subtle RGB splitting adds depth to flat designs; aggressive splitting creates obviously glitched, psychedelic imagery. See our RGB split tutorial for Photoshop and Premiere techniques.