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Back in the day, before the digital revolution, photographers relied on film to immortalize couples and special events. While these cameras lacked advanced features, they unintentionally gave rise to a charming effect on the edges of the image – the vignette. The subtle darkened edges added an unexpected touch to the photos, sometimes even enhancing their allure when embraced creatively. Surprisingly, despite its accidental origins, the vignette photo effect has stood the test of time. And we don’t see it ever going out of style! In this blog, we’ll share some nifty tips and inspiring ideas to master the art of vignetting. So, let’s embrace that vintage charm and infuse it with modern creativity. 

What Is Vignette In Photography?

Image Credits: ShootDotEdit Customer @jorgesantiagophoto

A vignette is an artistic effect that you might have noticed in some photos where the edges gradually darken or fade, drawing attention toward the center of the image. It’s like giving your subject a gentle spotlight, making it stand out in a captivating way. So, how does this magic happen? Well, vignetting occurs naturally in certain situations, especially in the old days of film photography. However, with today’s advanced digital tools, you can recreate this vignette effect intentionally during the editing process to add that extra ‘oomph’ to your photographs. 

Whether you want to evoke a vintage vibe or enhance the focus on your subject, vignette photography is a visually pleasing style you could try to create stunning and attention-grabbing visuals! 

Related Read: How To Blur Edges In Photoshop In 4 Simple Ways

5 Steps To Master The Art Of Vignetting

1. Understand The Different Types Of Vignetting

Image Credits: ShootDotEdit Customer @infiniteloopphoto

There are various ways to create vignettes on your photos, even while you are shooting. You might only want to add a vignette to your photos sometimes, but understanding the differences between each type of vignette can help you create the desired effect for your photos.

• Mechanical Vignetting: This type occurs when physical obstructions in your camera block light from reaching the edges of the image. It can be caused by using filters, lens hoods, or improper attachments. 

• Natural Vignetting: Nature has its way of adding charm to your photos. Natural vignetting occurs when the available light in the scene is not uniform, leading to subtle darkening around the edges.

• Pixel Vignetting: In today’s digital cameras, this type occurs due to variations in pixel sensitivity across the image sensor. While it might look like a glitch, you can turn it into an artistic effect during post-processing to enhance your photos.

• Lens Vignetting: As the name suggests, this type is directly related to your camera lens. It’s more noticeable when using wide apertures, especially with wide-angle lenses. Lens vignetting can be controlled and used creatively to guide the viewer’s gaze toward the center of your photo.

2.  Include It As A Signature Style

Image Credits: ShootDotEdit Customer @jorgesantiagophoto

Adding a vignette effect to your wedding photos can be a game-changer. For example, you’ve photographed a breathtaking shot of the newlyweds sharing a loving glance and want to make their love the center of attention. So, how can you enhance it? Well, it’s simple! During post-processing, you can use editing tools to subtly darken the corners of your images, directing focus to the heart of the scene. It’s like framing their special moment in a dreamy spotlight! 

Another idea is capturing the grandeur of the wedding venue during the evening. A well-crafted vignette can make the lights sparkle like stars, giving the photo a touch of magic. Make the art of vignetting your go-to technique, and let it be the hallmark of your signature style. 

Read More: The Art Of Moody Wedding Photography: An Overview

3. Use Contrast To Enhance Your Vignette

Image Credits: ShootDotEdit Customer @infiniteloopphoto

Picture this: you’ve captured a heartfelt moment between the bride and groom and added a subtle vignette to create that dreamy focus on their love. Now, here’s where contrast comes in to elevate your image! You can make the vignette effect even more striking by tweaking the difference in your editing software. 

Here’s how it works: increasing the contrast between the darker edges and the brighter center will make the vignette pop, drawing attention to your subject. Conversely, reducing the contrast can soften the effect, adding a touch of subtlety to your composition. Remember, as you play around with the contrast slider, keep an eye on how it affects your vignette, adding depth and emotion to your wedding shots. 

4. Frame Your Subjects

Image Credits: ShootDotEdit Customer @jorgesantiagophoto

To achieve the best results, it is important to position your subjects away from the edges of the frame. This is because different types of vignetting can cause the periphery of the image to fade, potentially impacting the appearance of your subjects. Placing your subjects near the borders of the photo runs the risk of them being affected by a different shade or even being covered by a darker vignette.

 Part of mastering the art of vignetting involves making choices about when to apply this technique. For example, you may prefer to use vignetting in specific moments, such as bridal or couple portraits. By observing your subjects and the scene, you can decide whether to create a vignette in-camera using your camera's settings or add vignetting through post-processing edits. 

Suggested Read: Photography Angle Techniques: Understanding POV, Framing, & Composition

5. Perfect Your Work In Lightroom Or Photoshop

Image Credits: ShootDotEdit Customer @erinm_photography

Here’s a quick step-by-step guide to get those vignettes just right:

• Step 1: Choose The Right Image - Select a photo that could benefit from a vignette effect. Look for shots where you want to draw attention to the main subject or add a touch of drama.

• Step 2: Open Your Editing Software - Whether using Lightroom or Photoshop, both programs offer powerful tools to create the perfect vignette.

• Step 3: Add A Vignette - In Lightroom, head over to the “Effects” panel and find the “Post-Crop Vignetting” slider. Slide it left or right to adjust the vignette intensity. In Photoshop, select the “Elliptical Marquee Tool,” draw an oval around your subject, and go to Filter > Lens Correction > Custom. Play with the “Vignette Amount” slider to achieve your desired effect.

• Step 4: Tweak Saturation - Let’s bring those colors to life! In Lightroom, head to the “Basic” panel to find the saturation slider. Adjust it to make the colors pop. Use the hue or saturation adjustment layer in Photoshop and slide the saturation bar until you’re happy with the result.

Further Read: How To Easily Create Vignette In Photoshop

Creating images representing you and your style as a photographer is essential to stand out from others in the industry. Knowing photography techniques, such as vignetting, can help you grow as a photographer and master the art of vignetting. When used correctly, this effect is a stylistic choice (like shown in the vignette photo examples shown above) you can make to enhance your photos and add to telling a story of the wedding day, giving your work a signature style that sets it apart from the rest. 

At ShootDotEdit, we are passionate about helping you grow your wedding photography business. A part of how we do that is by lessening your post-production workload with our professional photo editing services. To learn more about how we can help your wedding photography business, check out our pricing plans.