How to Invert Colors on a Picture: Inverting Colors in Premiere, iPhone and Android

In the photography world, there are countless tricks you can learn to make your art stand out in the sea of ordinary content.

With modern technology, especially, you can make significant changes to digital images without having to go through lengthy and time-consuming processes. In fact, most changes, like color inversion, can be done in a couple of clicks.

If you've ever wondered what color inversion is, how it's done, and how you can apply it to your work, you've come to the right place.

The following guide contains everything you need to know when it comes to learning how to invert images, work with inverted colors, and much more. Without further ado, let's get straight into it.

What is Color Inversion?

Before learning what the invert photos process is and how it's done, it's important first fully to understand the concept of color inversion.

To invert photos, whether using a photos app on your phone or software on your computer, refers to the image processing technique that transforms the colors within the image(s). The process is also often referred to as "negative color" or "inverse color," and it includes swapping the values of each of the pixels' color channels, which results in the "inversion," or simply put, the effect we get at the end, which is light tones rendering as dark, and dark tones rendering as light.

If the image uses the RGB (red, green, blue) color model, which is the standard for digital images, the inversion procedure would happen by subtracting each color component from the maximum possible value.

For example, if the values are (100, 150, 200) the inverted counterpart would be calculated by subtracting these values from the maximum value, being 255, and we would get (155, 105, 55) as the result.

Luckily, you don't need to do any of the math or thinking when planning to invert colors on a digital photo, as almost every photo app nowadays has this option and does the conversion automatically for you.

Whether you use Adobe Photoshop on your PC, Photoshop Express or Lightroom on your iPhone, or the built-in photo editing apps on Android, the invert color option is widely available and easy to use.

What is Color Inversion Used For?

Now that you know more about color inversion and what it means to invert images, it's time to take a look at how this skill applies as an artistic tool in modern photography.

First, inverting colors on an image could be for aesthetic or creative reasons. To invert photo colors means giving it a whole new look, which can be unique and visually striking. It can add a sense of surrealism or an abstract feel to it, which is the quickest way to turn an ordinary image into something that quickly grabs attention. The largest effect would be felt using a black and white photo due to the strong color contrasts.

The invert colors option can add a dramatic look and feel to an image or make it suitable for a collection or grid of other photos with inverted colors.

Next, you can use the invert colors option to make images more accessible for people with disabilities or color sensitivities. It's also a great way to reduce eye strain when working with editing tools for hours in low-light conditions.

If your photo editing work doesn't need you to look at the accurate colors, you can use this method to ease stress off your eyes, as inverted photos are easier to look at for longer in some specific situations.

Finally, the invert colors technique can be useful for highlighting specific features or patterns in the photo that couldn't otherwise be noticed due to the dark areas. Luckily, the invert filter makes the dark areas light in the final inverted image, and you can always revert back if needed.

It's not rare seeing artists use the invert photo tools to turn film negatives into real, recognizable photographs.

How to Invert Colors On A Picture With Boris FX Sapphire

Boris FX has numerous plug-ins and programs that offer various filters and tools for both photo and video editing. In this specific case, if you want to use an invert image tool, we recommend taking a look at Sapphire.

Sapphire is a visual effects plug-in by Boris FX that offers numerous ways for you to take your visuals to a whole new level. From cool transitions and filters all the way to custom effect building panels and endless customization options, Sapphire has it all.

One of the many tools offered in Sapphire is the S_Invert effect, which we'll be using in this guide to help you learn a smart invert colors process that you can use for all work in the near future.

For this specific guide, we'll be using Adobe Premiere Pro as our host software of choice for the S_Invert effect, but note that Sapphire, along with other Boris FX tools and plug-ins, is available for all popular editing programs.

For example, here's a helpful video showing the Invert and Monochrome effects of the Sapphire pack in action within Avid.

With that said, let's get into the process of making an inverted image in Adobe Premiere Pro.

You may wonder why use a video editing software, and not a photos app like Adobe Photoshop, but the great thing about the S_Invert tool from Sapphire is that you can use it both on videos and photos. Although it's not specifically for a photo app, you can do both in Premiere, making it a great and versatile choice for all your future work.

1. Launch Adobe Premiere and Import Media

   The first step is to launch Adobe Premiere on your PC and import the image you wish to invert the colors of using the "S_Invert" effect from Sapphire. If you have Sapphire properly installed (there's a free trial version available), all the effects will be already implemented in Premiere.

   So, once Premiere Pro loads on your PC, navigate to the "Project" tab and right-click an empty area where it says "Import media to start" as shown in the image below. Then, click Import, and choose the photos you wish to add.

   After importing one or multiple photos, you'll see them listed under the same Project tab you're currently navigated to. The next step is to create a sequence. Take a look at the next section.

2. Create a Sequence and Add the "S_Invert" Effect

   Before you can work on the images you imported, you must create a sequence. To do this in Premiere Pro, simply drag and drop the media over the timeline area.

   You can also rename the sequence, as that's good practice and will help you with better project organization for all your future work.

   Now that everything is laid out on the timeline, you can search for the effect and apply it. To do this, navigate to the "Effects" tab and use the search bar to type in "S_Invert" as shown in the image below. The effect will be listed under the "Sapphire Adjust" folder. To apply it, drag and drop the effect over the video on your timeline.

   You will immediately notice a difference in how the image looks, as the effect will invert the colors. But, there's still a lot you can do if you are not satisfied with the result.

3. Modify the Parameters, Preview, Save Changes, and Export

   As with all other Boris FX products, the S_Invert effect offers more control compared to the built-in effects that come for free with the software you're using. If you access the Effect Controls panel, you'll notice a lot of parameters you can change to adjust how the inverted pictures look.

   From here, you can experiment and preview the results, and when you're finally happy with how the final changes look, save the project and export the image. That's all there's to it!

How to Invert Colors on a Picture on iPhone

You can achieve this effect on an iPhone using a third-party photo editing app from the App Store. Here's a general guide using the "Darkroom" app, but other apps with similar functionality can also be used.

• Download a Photo Editing App

  Go to the App Store and download a photo editing app that supports color inversion. In this example, we'll use Darkroom, but there are other apps available, such as Snapseed or Adobe Lightroom.

• Open the Photo Editing App and Import Your Photo

  Launch the photo editing app you've downloaded. Look for an option to import or open a photo. This is usually represented by a "+" sign icon or an "Import" button.

• Access Editing Tools

  Find the editing tools or options. In Darkroom, you can access these by tapping on the slider icon at the bottom.

• Apply Color Inversion

  Look for an option related to color adjustments or filters. In Darkroom, this can be found in the "Tools" section under "Curves." Look for an "Invert" or "Negative" option.

• Adjust Settings (If Available)

  Some apps might allow you to adjust the intensity or settings of the color inversion. Explore these options based on your preferences.

• Save Your Edited Photo

  Once you're satisfied with the color inversion, save the edited photo. Look for a "Save" or "Export" option.

How to Invert Colors on a Picture on Android

On an Android phone, the process of doing a color inversion is almost the same as it is on an iPhone device. The first step would be to find your app of choice, and then download and install it.

For this specific example, we'll use the app called Snapseed which is already known to many users, but you can install a different one too, such as Pixlr or Adobe Lightroom.

• Download and Install Snapseed on Your Android Device

  Go to the Google Play Store and download Snapseed. Open the Photo Editing App after it finishes installing.

• Import Your Photo

  Once you open the app you'll see a "+" icon and the "Tap anywhere to open a photo" message under it. Tap it, then allow the app to access your phone's storage. Select a photo and import it into the app.

• Apply The Color Inversion Effect

  Click on "Tools" and then select the "Curves" option from the list of available options, as shown in the image below.

  Now, all you have to do is move the two points in the opposite direction, meaning inversing the colors manually.

  When done, tap the checkmark, save the changes, and then save the image to your phone's storage. That's all there's to it!

Final Words

Now you know more about color inversion, what the process consists of, its applications in art, and most importantly, how to do it yourself.

Hopefully, this will help you modify your work and achieve the desired results in the future. Good luck!