How to Make a Realistic Thermal Imaging Effect in Ps
Learn how to create a faux thermal imaging (heat map) effect in Photoshop using a fast, two-step Gradient Map workflow. This technique simulates the look of infrared thermograms and can be used for portraits, architecture, landscapes, still life images and creative composites.
In this tutorial, I demonstrate how thermal color palettes translate temperature into visible tones — and how photographers can adapt those palettes creatively for stylized fine-art results.
You’ll learn:
• how to build a base thermal heat-map look in two simple steps
• how to refine the result using a LUT for color shaping
• how to add noise for a retro sensor aesthetic
• how to add scan lines for a CRT-style surveillance look
• creative ways to apply faux thermal styling across an image series or portfolio
This workflow uses Gradient Maps in Photoshop, making it easy to customize color palettes and reuse the look across multiple images.
Timestamps are included below so you can jump directly to each key topic.
Links:
• Source stock image used in demo:
https://pixabay.com/photos/woman-port...
• Related tutorial: Use or Create LUTs for Color Grading:
• Use or Create LUTs for Color Grading in Ph...
• Related tutorial: Creative Duotones for Image Color Toning:
• Creative Duotones for Image Color Toning
________________________________________
Topic Start Times:
00:00 What thermal imaging/heat maps show + Workshop Overview
02:31 Demo: 2-step Base Thermal Imaging Workflow
17:59 Optional Step: Add LUT for Color Refinement
21:25 Optional Step: Add Noise for Retro Sensor Look
24:51 Optional Step: Add CRT-style Scan Lines
37:31 Creative Ways to Use Faux Thermal Imaging
Demo steps work in Photoshop CC, Photoshop 2026 and most recent versions of Photoshop.
FotoMaker Academy tutorials focus on practical Photoshop techniques for building fine art photography looks using creative workflows.
#ThermalImagingEffect, #HeatMapEffect, #GradientMapPhotoshop, #CreativeColorGrading, #PhotoStyling