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3 Simple & Easy Ways To Add Vignette In Photoshop

The use of vignette in Photoshop is very trendy nowadays. If we looked back 20 years ago, the vignette used to be considered a camera’s fault. So, why the idea suddenly changed? Well, it’s because vignette makes an image more attractive, more eye-catching. 

Do you know how to add a vignette in Photoshop? It’s okay if you don’t. We are here to teach you some simple and easy ways to add a vignette in a photo. Are you excited to learn something new? If yes, then don’t wait any longer and start reading the article!


What Is Vignette In Photoshop?

Before we learn how to create a vignette in Photoshop, we need to have a basic idea. Do you know what vignette is? Let me tell you. 

If we put it in simple words, vignette refers to the dark shadows at the photo’s outer borders. When you make the border of an image darker, making the center lighter, it’s a vignette effect. It’s generally done to avert the focus of viewers into the main object/center. It’s also helpful if you want to hide a little bit of detail in the background. 

A vignette often seems like a soft, almost non-existent frame that enhances the main object more gracefully. It can also be called a beautiful illusion created by shadows.


How To Make Vignette In Photoshop?

In the 90s, if your photo had a little shadow looming over the borders, you would have probably cursed the photographer or the camera. Because in that time, having dark shades in images was considered as the incapability of the photographer. 

But if we look into the recreation or Photoshop version of those images now, it will show a considerable difference. Adding vignette is very popular nowadays. If you want to learn how to add that effect on images, read the following methods. 

1. Create Vignette Using Layer Mask 

Creating a vignette effect with a layer mask is super easy. All you need to do is follow some steps correctly, and you will have a fantastic result by the end.

Step-1: Open The Image

Choose a photo that you want to edit. Either select the ‘open’ from the file menu or use Ctrl+O on your keyboard. 

Step-2: Add A New Layer

You will find a circle type icon on the right corner of the tab. It’s the ‘new layer’ icon. Click on that. And just like that, a new layer is added. 

Step-3: Use Layer Mask

After adding a new layer, add a layer mask. You will find this icon on the same row new layer icon. We have attached an image for better understanding. 

Now make the whole layer black. It is the easiest to work with. But yes, you can choose other colors too.

Step-4: Use Brush Tool

Choose a soft brush from the tools and change its size according to your wish. Now, keep the brush moving on the black surface as if you are using an eraser. 

When you do this, make sure your layer mask is selected. 

Step-5: Change Opacity

Change the opacity as you find it perfect. Here I used 40% of opacity. 

Step-6: Final Result

Here’s the final result of what we have created just now. 


2. Add Vignette Using Correction Lens

It’s another easy way to create a non-destructive vignette. What’s a non-destructive vignette? It means adding a vignette to an image without destroying its original form. You need to work on a copy, not the actual picture in this process. So, let’s start.

Step-1: Open Image

We have already told you how to open a new image from your laptop/PC. Just go to your files and select open. The picture on which we will be working on today is this one.

Step-2: Copy The Background Layer

Now, you need to copy the background layer of your image. It is necessary to keep your main photo intact. Click on the thumbnail of the image, which is on your right side.  Now drag it to copy, or put the pointer on the icon situated in the lower right corner, just beside the trash can. A click on that and your background has been copied.

Step-3: Select The Lens Correction Tool

Go to the ‘filter’ option in the menu bar, and you will find ‘Lens correction’ there. Click on that. The shortcut for this tool is ‘Shift+Ctrl+R.’

Step-4: Customization And Vignette Effect

Now that you have selected the lens correction tool, you will see a box on your right. On that box, there’s an option saying ‘Custom.’ Click on that option, and it will give you many choices to fix the image. In the middle of that box, there’s another option labeled ‘Vignette.’ You can adjust vignette from there. 

Step-5: Final Result

Yes, you are done already! This is how the image looks before and after adding a vignette.


3. Make Vignette In Photoshop Using Camera Raw Filter

It’s maybe one of the easiest ways to create a vignette effect. I personally like this one very much for the details that this tool provides. Of course, choices may vary from user to user. So, let’s check it out first 

Step-1: Open Image

Just like before, you have to open a new image to work on that. You already know the process, right? So, start creating!

Step-2: Duplicate Background

The way you created a copy of the background of the image, create one now too. You can rename the layer as ‘ Vignetting ‘ as I have done it. Or you can leave it with the default name.

Step-3: Select Camera Raw Filter

Inside the ‘Filter,’ you can see ‘Camera raw filter.’ You have to select that one for further work. 

Step-4: Add Vignette

After selecting the camera raw filter, you will get to see the magic box. Yes, magic, because it makes adding vignette easy and perfect. On that box, click on the ‘fx’ which stands for ‘effects.’ In the lower middle part, you will see ‘Post Crop Vignetting.’ Under this bar, there are different tools to adjust the vignette in a photo. I chose as I preferred, but you can do in your own choice. After changing, click on ‘okay,’ and everything is done.

Step-5: Final Look

You guys probably thinking, ‘Can such an easy way do a good job?’ To answer that question, I will show you the images before and after adding the vignette. Let’s take a look. 


Final Words

A vignette is one of the best ways to make the center object the focal point of an image. In this tutorial, we have tried to pick some easy ways to create a vignette in Photoshop. But yes, these are not the only ways. There are dozens of ways to do the vignetting. The professionals may not prefer these ways, but they are perfect for beginners. 

So, our suggestion is, you should start with the simple ones. There’s always scope for leaving complicated ways. We hope this tutorial will help you to add amazing vignettes in images.

About the author:

Chris Daniel

Chris Daniel

Chris Daniel is a very unique, professional, and informative website/blog writer. His biography page features various types of photography strategies in the USA. Keep an eye on his blog that contains a lot of creative details that draw with keep attention.

Chris Daniel

Chris Daniel

Chris Daniel is a very unique, professional, and informative website/blog writer. His biography page features various types of photography strategies in the USA. Keep an eye on his blog that contains a lot of creative details that draw with keep attention.

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