Creating a Natural Looking Vignette

Posted: June 19th, 2009 | Author: admin | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: effects, lighting, vignette | 8 Comments »

Thought I’d pass along my favorite vignette technique this morning. I like this one because it doesn’t turn bright areas along the edges gray — it just darkens that edges that were already darker to begin with.

1) Create a flattened master version of your image (Merge All Duplicate Layer: CTRL+ALT+Shift+E).

2) Select All (CTRL+A or Select>All)

3) Transform Selection to 85% W x 85% H (Selection>Transform Selection)

transform-screenshot

4) Refine Selection Edge by feathering to 250px (Selection>Refine Edge>Feather:250px)

feather-screenshot

5) Create Inverted Layer Mask (ALT+Click layer mask icon)

6) Change Blend Mode to Multiply; Name layer”V1″

7) Duplicate Layer (CTRL+J); Name layer “V2″

Create flattened master layer (CTRL+ALT+Shift+E); Name layer “Vignette”

9) Delete (or hide) layers V1 and V2.

10) Adjust the opacity of “Vignette” layer. Do the colors around the edges look “burned” or oversaturated? Just change the blend mode to luminosity.

Before and After (After = Opacity 75%; Blend Mode Normal):

8 Comments on “Creating a Natural Looking Vignette”

1 Carla said at 12:36 am on June 21st, 2009:
Sarah, I’ve purchased CS4 and Lightroom 2, next is the “perfect” laptop and can’t wait to get started on your awesome tutorials! Thanks so much for sharing!
2 Sharon said at 5:07 pm on June 22nd, 2009:
Sarah, you are always so informative and thorough! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge!
3 Jill said at 5:43 pm on June 22nd, 2009:
You are rocking these tutorials, Sarah. Thanks for taking the time to do this!
4 Jessica said at 11:24 pm on June 22nd, 2009:
You’re my idol!
5 Jackie said at 5:35 pm on June 23rd, 2009:
As always, you give the best tutorials! I want to be like you when I grow up! LOL
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