Chromatic Distortion: Everything You Need to Know

Chromatic distortion, also known as chromatic aberration, is a common optical issue that causes color fringing and blur around the edges of images. In this guide, we'll explain what chromatic aberration is, provide examples, and introduce methods for correcting it.

You might think that removing chromatic aberration in Photoshop requires advanced skills, but that's not the case. Whether you're a novice or an expert, you can effectively address this issue using Photoshop. Read on to understand chromatic distortion better and learn straightforward steps to correct it.

What Is Chromatic Distortion?

Color fringing, or chromatic distortion, occurs when a lens fails to focus all colors of light wavelengths at a single point. This issue is particularly noticeable with purple and red hues along high-contrast edges. Different wavelengths of light bend differently through the lens; for example, blue light bends more than red light, causing them to separate and create visible color fringing.

Chromatic distortion is more common in cheaper and older lenses. While modern and specialized lenses can reduce this effect, they cannot entirely eliminate chromatic aberration.

Causes of Chromatic Distortion

Chromatic aberration is very complex and there is not just one isolated cause for this color mess in your photo. Let’s now reflect on all color-fringing factors and their variety related to the nature of light and optical materials:

• Material dispersion – In simple words, lenses collect color lights. Each color has different wavelengths and differently bends or refracts when passing through the lenses. This difference in refraction can cause chromatic distortion.

  

• Lens design and configuration – A simple lens design, especially one from a single type of glass, tends to produce color fringe because it cannot focus all colors at the same point. On the other hand, more complex optical systems use multiple lenses with different properties that can correct this issue. However, due to the complexity of the whole process, chromatic distortions are sometimes inevitable.

  

• Focal length differences – Different light wavelengths focus at slightly different distances from the lens, causing color fringing and misalignment. That mainly happens in lenses with longer focal lengths.

  

• Aperture size – Chromatic distortion can occur with larger apertures. The larger the aperture is, the more possibility there is for the light to fringe because light rays can spread out more.
• Optical system complexity – The design of an optical system is quite complex. Multiple lenses need to be well-calibrated. Some of them have varying dispersion properties. All these factors can cause chromatic distortion in some way.

Understanding and controlling these factors can help professionals reduce chromatic aberration and improve the quality and clarity of their images, maximizing the performance of their equipment.

Chromatic Aberration Examples

Let’s learn more about different types of this color fringe. There are two main types of chromatic aberration: longitudinal and lateral. Let’s see how they look.

Longitudinal Chromatic Aberration

Longitudinal or axial chromatic aberration appears behind or before the focal point. You can primarily see it in out-of-focus image parts. It occurs when light wavelengths come into focus at different distances from the camera lens, so each color has its location on the lens.

Lateral Chromatic Aberration

Transverse or lateral chromatic aberration is more visible toward the edges of the frame. It happens when wavelengths of light focus at different positions in the image plane at a right angle to the optical axis. That means each color creates a slightly shifted image. That causes color fringing at the edges of your objects.

Now that we’ve learned the types of chromatic aberration, it’s time to check some examples of this phenomenon in different practices:

• Color fringing in photographs – If you are a photographer who uses inexpensive or low-quality lenses, you are probably very familiar with this type of distortion. Chromatic aberration can often appear in photographs, color fringing around high-contrast edges.

  

• Red and blue edges in telescope images – Chromatic aberration is common in astronomical telescopes. Their lenses can’t bring all wavelengths of light to the same focus, causing red and blue edges to appear around the images of stars.

  

• Wide-angle lenses in landscape photography – All landscape photographers are very familiar with chromatic distortion in their practice. Wide-angle lenses are irreplaceable for this type of photography. Still, due to the specific design of this lens type, they cannot focus all wavelengths simultaneously, creating sharp transitions between bright and dark areas.

  

• Chromatic aberration in macro photography – If you take a picture of a close object, the possibility for chromatic aberration is significant. Color fringing can happen around the edges of flower petals, for instance. That happens because of the lens’s difficulty in focusing all colors evenly at such close distances.

  

• Artistic use of chromatic aberration – Chromatic distortion doesn’t always have to create a problem. Sometimes, digital artists and photographers create it intentionally as an effect. This color fringe can highlight specific elements in the picture and create a unique aesthetic with a retro or surreal effect.

Chromatic Aberration Corrections When Shooting Photos

Now that we have learned what chromatic aberration is, what types exist, and where we can see it in practice, let’s find out how to correct this dispersion when shooting photos:

1. Use high-quality lenses – This step is undeniably the most effective way to minimize chromatic distortion. High-quality lenses are specifically designed to reduce this type of distortion with multi-element and specialized glass types like extra-low dispersion glass.
2. Utilize achromatic or apochromatic lenses – Make the most of achromatic and apochromatic lenses, which are specifically designed to address chromatic aberration. Achromatic lenses correct for two wavelengths (typically red and blue), while apochromatic lenses correct for three or more wavelengths, offering superior color accuracy in your photos.
3. Adjust aperture settings – A smaller aperture can reduce chromatic aberration by increasing the depth of field and decreasing the lens’s tendency to disperse light. However, diffraction can happen with a small aperture, so keep that in mind.
4. Post-processing correction – Built-in tools for chromatic aberration correction are part of many modern editing software. These tools can automatically detect and correct color fringing and improve photo clarity.
5. Use lens correction profiles – Digital cameras and many software applications have lens correction profiles that can automatically fix chromatic aberration. They can correct aberrations in-camera or during post-processing. Just update your camera software with the latest profiles to have optimal results.
6. Maintain proper lens alignment – If you work with a lens, you have to take care of the alignment with regular maintenance and alignment checks of your lens. Otherwise, misalignment or loose fittings can intensify chromatic distortions.

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Post-Production Chromatic Aberration Corrections

Is your picture ruined with color fringes? No worries; various tools and techniques can help remove chromatic aberration from your images. Most editing software like Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Lightroom, Capture One, and DxO PhotoLab have built-in tools for chromatic aberration fixes and manual options.

All these tools require more or less skill, but if you are a beginner, we suggest you try Wondershare Filmora. This fantastic user-friendly software is perfect for beginners and advanced editors and offers various options with constant updates.

Filmora offers powerful tools for color adjustment, helping you achieve professional results without color fringing in several straightforward steps:

Step 1: Download and install Filmora on your computer. Start a New Project and import the video you want to edit. Then, drag it and drop it onto your timeline.

Step 2: Select your video clip on the timeline and click the Color tab in the Properties panel to access Color Correction tools.

Step 3: Adjust Color settings like Temperature, Tint, Vibrance, and Saturation. Explore color options, check Light settings, etc. Additionally, you can add some filters that might help with color balance and fringing.

Step 4: After making adjustments, use the Preview window to check your work and click Export to save or share your content.

Color Correction Both Basics and Advanced Tips│Filmora

How to Use Chromatic Aberration to Your Advantage

If you are professional, you probably don’t want chromatic or any kind of distortion in your work. However, chromatic aberration doesn’t necessarily have to be an unwanted effect if you wish to open yourself to new horizons and a more creative path. Let’s see how to use chromatic distortion to your advantage.

Achieve Creative Film Effects With Filmora

If you like the ease of Filmora for post-production editing, you’ll be even happier to know that chromatic aberration effects are even more fun with this Wondershare program. Filmora has built-in filters and effects that make an excellent collaboration with controlled color fringing.

Film-like aesthetics and vintage or retro looks are just some creative possibilities you can try in Filmora on any editing level. By adjusting the intensity and color of the aberration, you can turn chromatic aberration into a powerful creative tool with Wondershare Filmora.

Chromatic Aberration Effects in Filmora

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Create Artistic and Surreal Effects

Intentionally adding color fringing can enhance your creative work. While most photographers aim to remove chromatic aberration, it can be used creatively by graphic designers and adventurous photographers.

Exaggerated color edges can introduce a unique visual style and add a distinctive twist to your images. Editing software can create this effect by splitting the red, green, and blue colors, resulting in visible fringes of each color. A notable example is the TikTok logo.

Add Depth and Dimension in Digital Art

Subtle color fringes around the edges can create a dynamic and three-dimensional look in digital art and graphics, with more vivid and engaging results. Intentional chromatic aberration can simulate the imperfections that older lenses can cause or emphasize specific elements by making them stand out with more clarity.

Enhance Subject Isolation or Highlight and Enhance Details

With the chromatic aberration effect, you can isolate and emphasize the subject in your photo. The color fringe halo can make the subject stand out from the background. Additionally, applying color aberration to specific areas highlights fine details, making your work more noticeable and captivating.

Conclusion

Knowing your photography equipment and how it works is half the job. Chromatic aberration happens due to the complex design of lenses and the struggle to focus all colors of light in a single point.

Understanding causes for this phenomenon and examples in practice help you control and minimize dispersion in your work. Learning to control chromatic aberration in post-production can help you improve your skills and open a new window for a more creative and fun approach.

With more complex software like Adobe Photoshop or a more user-friendly approach for beginners with Wondershare Filmora, you can learn how to use this color fringing to your advantage and enrich your work.