How do I add a vignette in Photoshop CS

dward1222

Hi There Everybody-

First, I know I am using an old version of Photoshop, but I don't have the money to upgrade, so with that answered, let me get to my question.

I am trying to add a nice black vignette to a family photo. I have looked for tutorials in Google, but they do not work because I am missing some of the tools that they say I need, so I am at a stuck place and quite frustrated.

So can somebody help me to tell me how I can create this in Photoshop /???

Thanks for your time with this. I do Sincerely appreciate it.

Sincerely- Doug

Damo77 · Posted: Sat Nov 06, 2010 1:41 pm Post subject:

Your version is plenty powerful, don't worry.

There are numerous ways of adding a vignette. Can you tell us, do you want a vignette that darkens the photo at the edges; or do you want a genuine black can't-see-through-it-border vignette?

dward1222 · Posted: Sat Nov 06, 2010 1:48 pm Post subject:

I want a vignette that darkens the photo at the edges. Thanks for your help, I am trying different tutorials, but nothing is working. I.E., using the elliptical tool to make a selection and when I do, the tutorial says I should see the photo, and nothing shows, just a large black screen. UUUGGHHH !!!!

Thanks for your help !!!

Damo77 · Posted: Sat Nov 06, 2010 1:58 pm Post subject:

No, forget about the elliptical tool - that's for chumps. Try this:

1. Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Levels

2. Call it "Vignette layer" or whatever, then press Ok

3. Grab the middle (gray) slider below the histogram and move it aggressively to the right. This will darken the whole photo, but don't worry about that right now.

4. Press Ok. You'll see your layer in the layers palette.

5. Choose your brush tool (shortcut is the B key, I think). In the options bar (top of screen) choose the biggest brush size available, and make sure the opacity is 100%

6. Press D then X to make sure that black is your foreground colour in the toolbar

7. Then just paint over your subjects in the middle of the photo. As you paint, the middle of the photo will be restored to its original tone, leaving the darkened edges.

dward1222 · Posted: Sat Nov 06, 2010 5:53 pm Post subject: RE: Vignette in Photoshop CS

Oh my gosh,,,that so worked. and was super fast without any confusion. I will try to post the results and let me know what you think of the results.

Thanks again-

Doug

Damo77 · Posted: Sat Nov 06, 2010 5:58 pm Post subject:

Glad it worked for you!

Personally, I think your vignette is too distinct. I like vignettes that are so subtle that you don't even realise they're there, until you look twice. But that's just me.

By the way, I think you forgot to mask off a bit of the darkness right in the middle - their faces look a bit dark. While you're painting a mask, you can press the \ key at any time to view your mask in red, to see which bits you've missed.

dward1222 · Posted: Sat Nov 06, 2010 6:08 pm Post subject:

Hi There-

I know it's a bit overdone,,but I was so excited that it worked,,,I got carried away, forgive me. Thanks for the info about the masking in red,,,that will help in the future.

Sincerely- Doug

thehermit · Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2010 3:37 pm Post subject:

I think you did a great job using Damo's advice, I don't think it's overdone at least not too much, although I may be tempted to add a little contrast to the image. All in all though, GJ you two

dward1222 · Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2010 5:50 pm Post subject:

Thank You very much thehermit,,,I really appreciate the feedback. I have discovered that this tutorial is not only very easy, but has a very wide range of the darkness of the vignette and I also have total control over where the vignette goes. I will be using this regularly.

Thanks- Doug

Moby Dick · Posted: Tue May 17, 2011 5:29 am Post subject:

Sir i'm interested in genuine black can't-see-through-it-border vignette... Can you help me pls. TIA.

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