After reading the "You Are Not a Photographer" discussion and poking around the site for a while I've learned that there is an intense hatred of white vignette among professionals. I'll confess that I think I used it once (although I can't for the life of me remember which picture or what my excuse was) but it does seem that most times I try applying it to my photos it makes them look tacky and... just wrong.
That said, I do seem to employ black vignette around the edges of a lot of my photos. I think that's because it darkens them and helps make them extra spooky and moody, which suits my personality and style. Now they've got me wondering if even that's a bad thing to do. Not that I'm selling these photos or claiming to be a professional but I'm curious to hear everyone's take on it here. Is it ever appropriate to use a vignette? Do you hate how they look? Should vignettes be outlawed and punishable by death?
I saw that to! I didn't know it was such a horrible thing to do...
Actually, a lot of pre-set edits in Picnik do have some kind of vignette. But maybe that's the problem, it's to easy, in some opinions.
I use a vignette regularly, especially on macro-pictures. It helps me to let the object in focus really get all the attention.
I think it is a bit tacky around portraits, like you want to give them all that dreamy look. But not always...
This really helps nothing at all :-D
I think I still will use a vignette from time to time, more of the black than the white one.
I have never used a white vignette but it just strikes me as tacky family portraits... not sure why but it does. I use black periodically or a smoky to draw the focus to my subject or to enhance the overall feel of the shot but that is just me. =)
I personally dont really like Vignette...though sometimes I do use it but I fade it out so its not really noticable, just to darken the picture a little. if that makes sense? I just think it kind of looks cheesy or tacky in a way, especially with portraits.
I've never liked the look of white vignettes, just a personal preference. Black vignettes are a different story however. Recently, i find myself using them on just about every edit. I like the way they tend to draw your eye toward the subject, and like you, i like the mood they lend. I'm probably guilty of overusing them, but I'll probably continue doing so.
I'm far from a pro (and would never try to claim otherwise), but I use black or dark sepia vignettes on a lot of my shots. I agree with the other posters-- it can help put the focus where it needs to be and sometimes just adds a certain "something." I think you should just use your judgement. If you like the picture, then who cares what a "pro" thinks?
That being said, IMO a white vignette MAYBE works for baby shots, and it probably depends on the baby and the shot. But that's just my thought :)
@sallycheese That's exactly what I think of when I see portraits with vignette too, especially the dreaded white vignette.
@geertje@autumnseden@ehenry95 It sounds like the consensus is that vignette should never be used for portraits as it instantly renders them tacky looking but that darker vignettes might be usable to highlight the subject or change the mood of certain other shots. Which is pretty much how I've been using them so I think I might be in the clear. Whew! :)
white vignette, to me is useless. I use black often, but at 5-25% opacity or so, depending on the photo. And not always all the corners either. IMO vignette should never be so obvious. Just wing it and do what you think adds to the photo.
I've used it in portraits and didn't think it was tacky :/ I just thought it focused the attention more to the face.
I spotted that too! I've only ever used white vignette once (I didn't even know it existed before then!), but have used black vignette a good few times. I've "experimented" with other colours, but have never actually been happy enough to save them. I've always either selected black or left them without any vignette.
I'm not sure that it worked, but one person did comment positively about it. What do you think? Does it work? And if it does, why?! I can't decide. I'm ashamed to say I didn't have a reason for using it, just the fact that it was a new button I hadn't noticed before!!
@lluniau I agree that white vignette can be really ugly (as can any device), but I think this is a great choice of vignette - just to prove that it's up to the artist to make it work and you can't take the "rules" or other people's opinions too seriously. I think it adds a vintage feel to this and fits the subject which also looks to me like it's from an earlier time. I love the length of it too and I think the vignette adds to that. Just my opinion, for whatever that's worth, but I really like it.
I will admit that I did use the white vignette on a family portrait (my family), but I was going for a retro look to it. However, the more I looked at it afterwards, the less I liked it, and wouldn't use it again.
I did use a slight white vignette on this shot and I think it kind of works with the edit though.....
I use the white vignette for making photo look older and with sepia, just like @pwallis, but then that website made me question it. But never mind, after looking at these photos again, I still think it works.
I really love to use the black vignette... I probably use it too much haha. I normally do not like the white one, but I think it does look great on certain pictures. I just do what I think looks good, others may not agree... but oh well :)
I am full out newbie, but I suppose I use the black vignette to much. I just like the way it looks. Again, I know to a professional it is just to easy. And I can appreciate that. Maybe when I learn more I won't use it so much.
Apparently I am quite tacky because I have used white vignette on many of my photos. Sometimes I use it to "hide" things in the corners of the photos and sometimes I like the softness it adds. Since my photos are really just for me, I will most likely continue to use it when I like what it does to my photos. One of the reasons I often use white rather than black is that the 365 photos are on a white background and I think the black makes some photos look harsh on the white background, and also the white does not show the "borders" of the photo so the focus is more on the subject than on the border.
I think there's a time and place for everything including vignettes. It's knowing when and to what extent to use them that matters most. Right now, I experiment and am having a blast doing so. I thought I'd be a "purist" and not post-edit much at all but I'm seeing how it can really add to the shot beautifully.
@peggysirk I say...if you like it then it's not wrong and you should continue to use it. Maybe not over abuse but it's your picture and your interpretation of the subject matter.
No, no, never question yourself. Do what makes you happy. Your photos are great. I look back and think "Wow, I've grown so much" as opposed to "AAAAH, WHAT WAS I THINKING?!" And I've come to decide what I like and what I don't like for my personal style of editing.
Well, I'm really not claiming to be a photographer, so I don't care what mocking tips that website tells me. Art is beauty from the artist's eye. Now, if you, yourself, the artist, doesn't like what you see in your photos, then change it. But if someone tells you of these so called rules, rules of third, white vignettes, super post process editing, and you follow them instead of doing your art, then, your are now, doing their art. If opinions of others seem useful to you and you like their opinions, apply them. But if deep inside, you don't want to change, but is pressured because the so called experts tell you so, then you are losing your art. Personally, I seldom use white vignette, maybe for pictures with a white background (never a dark picture with white vignette) but that's just me. I however, use black vignette on about 60-70% of my photos because that's beautiful to my eyes... :) Thanks for reading. :) I hate mocking other people's art, even if it's meant to be comedy. Remember, in art, there are no professionals... ;)
I would say use the tools you have that make the picture into something you like, but do not always use the same tools, and sometimes just let it be. Maybe sometimes use a vignette, sometimes crop? Look at each photo on its own and decide for that photo what is best. We are trying to improve ourselves, enjoy ourselves, and record a year of our lives. The beauty is that we decide for ourselves what improvement, enjoyment and recording mean. I don't have to like your picture, you have to like your picture.
I think it's a good thing to do, provided it doesn't draw attention to itself. A vignette should be subtle and enhance a photo, not overbear and detract from it.
I used just a touch of white vignette to open up the corners of this shot -
I frequently use a black vignette, but try to keep it subtle. Usually if there's a heavy black vignette in my project, it's due to shooting with Hipstamatic or another app that applies it for a particular look.
I do use vignette (in all different colors, it's never pure black or white 'cause I look at the "toning" of the picture) quite often but I ted to use just a really thin one to enhance or fade the borders..... A few examples:
I'm amazed at this discussion. Isn't it whatever is your own personal choice.....everyone always advises 'this is your project, do what pleases you'? I know we are here to grow as photographers, in skill, in our vision and our subjects, but to tell us what is good or not, is surely up to the individual. Many of my pictures are of flowers or macro images and I use the white vignette quite a lot, to focus on the subject, to soften the edges, to get a dreamy or romantic feel. Sorry if you don't like it.
There are times when a white vignette is useful, but people don't usually use them at the right time, imo.
They can be used in high key photos where there is already a lot of white (third photo up from here is a good example of when to use one), Christmas cards (hey - they are meant to be cheesy), or for old, aged-look photos where you are using it to fade the edges (like happens with some really old prints, or where the fixer hasn't been applied so well / rinse hasn't been done properly). But, generally, white vignettes just look odd.
Dark vignettes are very useful. I had a discussion with Peter Eastway http://www.petereastway.com/ - editor of Better Photography magazine - about two years ago, and he said that he believes almost every photograph can benefit from a vignette. It should be noted, however, that he carefully applies his by hand and not by use of an action or other "automatic vignette solution" like found in Lightroom. Me? I usually use Lightroom. I have a number of presets that I tweak for each photo, backing many of them off so they cant be readily spotted. Effects are (usually) meant to improve your image - not draw attention to the effect itself!
I've been following YANAP for a while - it is often highly amusing. But, the whole purpose of it is to take the p*$% out of things, so you shouldn't treat anything on there as a "rule" or a "never do that" kind of thing. It can be good to see what not to do, but it is always just opinion, and not always totally accurate. That blog is entertainment for the most part. Also, don't feel bad about doing something they've decided to pick on - we have all done that stuff (and by we, I am including the authors of that site). If you choose to spend time there, don't get emotional. And I suggest being careful what you post, because some people on that site are even worse than some of the outspoken *@$#@&^$ on I.L.P. - they just live to flame (perhaps in a bid to try to boost their own self-worth).
@marinda - the vignette you used in that is perfect - don't doubt it.
@jinximages Never thought of using white vignettes on high key shots, I can think of a few of my shots that I trashed that could have benefited from that. I guess it's all about starting to think out of the box. It doesn't have to be old/vintage looking as I've pictured it. And also, thank you for the compliment. Much appreciated coming from you :)
@keithdavid Ha! And yours is a perfect example of how to make vignette work for your picture, not against it. I'm seeing a lot of good examples here, in fact. Especially @elke@bradsworld and @marinda. Thanks to everyone who's responded.
@jinximages As always, you bring a rational and educated opinion to the discussion. I like that even a professional sees the merit in a properly done vignette. Makes sense after seeing some good examples using them. I'd noticed from a few shots here that the white vignette really does work with predominantly white shots or the vintage ones. Thanks for your input.
@Cherrill I didn't post this discussion in an attempt to shame anyone or have someone tell me what's "right" for my photos. I was just curious to hear everyone's opinion on the subject and, as with most discussions about photography, there are many different takes on it. Ultimately I don't think anyone's really going to completely alter his/her style on the basis of one 365 discussion. I definitely agree that this particular project is about doing what makes you happy. Keep doing that if it works for you.
I don't know that I've ever really used a vignette. Definitely an interesting discussion, and I'll be having a play with it the next time I take a photo.
Off to have a look through my 365 photos to see if I actually have...
@clarissajohal Well, I don't know that it's *all* subjective. Looking at the You Are Not a Photographer site will show you an awful lot of out of focus portraits with orange or green skin tones. I think we can all agree that's never a good thing, Unless you happen to hail from an alien planet where skin is meant to be that color. :)
I also wanted to add that now that I'm nearing the end of my first year it's amazing to look back and see how much I've improved, like lovely @laceyjogautreau said. While most of my project was done haphazardly, taking shots of what seemed fun to me, it's also been a good learning experience for what works and what falls flat. Even though this is only a hobby I still want to be as good at it as I possibly can so I'm always open to learning more. That's probably just the perfectionist German in me talking.
I've used the white vignet also! Twice on B&W portraits which are not incorporated in my project, and I think I've only used it once in the project and that was for this shot.
But the black vignet.. man I've used that quite a lot!!!
I love vignetting..but there is a time, place, mood, certain type of photo, etc for it. I don't think there is any rule for using vignetting. I do agree with you on white vignetting, I find that it makes a photo look less appealing. Black vignetting is fine though. It's your photo, your call. Do what suits you. That's what makes it your photo. :)
I definitely am not of the opinion that it should never be used and there are clearly some great uses for it. I just don't like how it looks for my photos but I do a lot of nature/scenic/macro. If I took a photo that I thought would be enhanced/improved by a white vignette, I would use it without hesitation. But then again, I do this project because it makes me happy. Do what makes you happy. Simple!
Yikes! i tend to use the white vignetting on most of my photos.....i have eased up quite a bit on the strength, but i still use it regularly... i do children's portraits and feel it adds to the whimsical/innocent quality that i am trying to achieve. However, one of the great things about this site is the font of information and opportunity to grow in the craft of photography....i have learned so much in the last 6 months!
Sometimes, I really like the way a subtle vignette can draw your eye to a particular part of a photo. I have fooled some of my friends and co-workers into thinking that I'm some sort of professional photographer ;), but I mostly just take pictures for fun.
I just used black vignette here, because in the top right corner, was a dark bronze roof visible, so to "hide that" I used black vignette to cover up all the corners as best I could. I use black at times...and the darkest tone of a color that almost looks black (like navy) if appropriate tone...but I learned really fast that light colored vigette only looks good in rare circumtances. But I am just a newbie, so ....
Normally, I don't like the white... unless, like people have said here, its used in a very subtle fashion to enhance the photo itself, not steal the attention away from the photo itself. For me, I tend to like black vignette as a subtle addition to the right kind of photo. That being said, I've used the black and later wished I hadn't... and I've used the white once and been very happy I did :) Like everyone said, it is all a matter of how its used and what you love!
Hi, My name is Dale and I'm a vignette addict. Heck, 95% or more of my photos have a dark vignette, but try to keep the focus off of that fact. Actually, I think I may have use a touch TOO MUCH in today's photo:
I only say that because after I posted it, I felt that some of my attention was going to the vignette instead of the skater. But, I guess it just comes down to personal preference.
like coffee or alcohol or watching tv, you can overdo it. but i'm in the "whatever expresses you" camp. i have experimented a little with it. i was rather pleased with the "old faded photo" touch it added to a recent shot.
I wouldn't want to use a vignette if it took away from the picture, but sometimes it just enhances the feel of it- like in this one. Instead of black, though I made it brown, to retain the "keepsake" feel of the picture.
white vignettes have their place, you never hear anyone bemoaning the use of HDR although I'm sure someone will prove me wrong and some over HDR'ed pictures look dreadful.
I used white vignette on this one. Not so much because the photo was enhance by it, but because I was too lazy too move the distracting stuff from the background!
I have used a white vignette occiasionally and a black one more often then not. But I am picky about what photos get a vignette and what one don't- I actually believe it can enhance a photo, IF the photo is a good one to begin with. I don't agree to take a bad photo and vignette it in hops that it would look good but I'm also of the belief that if you have strongly edit and enhance a photo to begin with (further than contrast, brightness and whether it stays colour or not), then it's a bad photo and should be rejected.
I have a friend who uses a white vignette on 90% of his photos. I personally think it is very tacky and takes away from what could be nice photos. He has done a few events (he volunteered for) where every photo seems to have a white vignette with absolutely zero opacity. I have a hard time believing that every person he did these events for likes this look. Now he's moved into doing different colored ones as well. If there are purple flowers...then there is a purple vignette. Maybe I should point him to this thread.
I understand that if it is for your personal taste, and your personal art, then use it until your heart is content.
But he is trying to open up a "professional" studio, and keeps complaining that he isn't getting any work, or good responses from his portfolio. So I do believe that if you want to be compensated for your work, you do have to do work that others find pleasing, or they aren't going to hire you. If they are paying for your service, as well as the final product, you need to either work with what sells, or hope that you find a a lot of people who like white vignetting...which obviously isn't the majority.
I know I'm late to this as I just joined and am reading through posts but I think that first....do what works for you and what you like. Second...I think vignettes can look wonderful depending on the photo, style, mood you are creating, and how strong it is.
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Actually, a lot of pre-set edits in Picnik do have some kind of vignette. But maybe that's the problem, it's to easy, in some opinions.
I use a vignette regularly, especially on macro-pictures. It helps me to let the object in focus really get all the attention.
I think it is a bit tacky around portraits, like you want to give them all that dreamy look. But not always...
This really helps nothing at all :-D
I think I still will use a vignette from time to time, more of the black than the white one.
That being said, IMO a white vignette MAYBE works for baby shots, and it probably depends on the baby and the shot. But that's just my thought :)
@geertje @autumnseden @ehenry95 It sounds like the consensus is that vignette should never be used for portraits as it instantly renders them tacky looking but that darker vignettes might be usable to highlight the subject or change the mood of certain other shots. Which is pretty much how I've been using them so I think I might be in the clear. Whew! :)
I've used it in portraits and didn't think it was tacky :/ I just thought it focused the attention more to the face.
I'm not sure that it worked, but one person did comment positively about it. What do you think? Does it work? And if it does, why?! I can't decide. I'm ashamed to say I didn't have a reason for using it, just the fact that it was a new button I hadn't noticed before!!
I opt for black vignettes sometimes but never at full opacity.
I did use a slight white vignette on this shot and I think it kind of works with the edit though.....
I frequently use a black vignette, but try to keep it subtle. Usually if there's a heavy black vignette in my project, it's due to shooting with Hipstamatic or another app that applies it for a particular look.
They can be used in high key photos where there is already a lot of white (third photo up from here is a good example of when to use one), Christmas cards (hey - they are meant to be cheesy), or for old, aged-look photos where you are using it to fade the edges (like happens with some really old prints, or where the fixer hasn't been applied so well / rinse hasn't been done properly). But, generally, white vignettes just look odd.
Dark vignettes are very useful. I had a discussion with Peter Eastway http://www.petereastway.com/ - editor of Better Photography magazine - about two years ago, and he said that he believes almost every photograph can benefit from a vignette. It should be noted, however, that he carefully applies his by hand and not by use of an action or other "automatic vignette solution" like found in Lightroom. Me? I usually use Lightroom. I have a number of presets that I tweak for each photo, backing many of them off so they cant be readily spotted. Effects are (usually) meant to improve your image - not draw attention to the effect itself!
I've been following YANAP for a while - it is often highly amusing. But, the whole purpose of it is to take the p*$% out of things, so you shouldn't treat anything on there as a "rule" or a "never do that" kind of thing. It can be good to see what not to do, but it is always just opinion, and not always totally accurate. That blog is entertainment for the most part. Also, don't feel bad about doing something they've decided to pick on - we have all done that stuff (and by we, I am including the authors of that site). If you choose to spend time there, don't get emotional. And I suggest being careful what you post, because some people on that site are even worse than some of the outspoken *@$#@&^$ on I.L.P. - they just live to flame (perhaps in a bid to try to boost their own self-worth).
@marinda - the vignette you used in that is perfect - don't doubt it.
@jinximages As always, you bring a rational and educated opinion to the discussion. I like that even a professional sees the merit in a properly done vignette. Makes sense after seeing some good examples using them. I'd noticed from a few shots here that the white vignette really does work with predominantly white shots or the vintage ones. Thanks for your input.
@Cherrill I didn't post this discussion in an attempt to shame anyone or have someone tell me what's "right" for my photos. I was just curious to hear everyone's opinion on the subject and, as with most discussions about photography, there are many different takes on it. Ultimately I don't think anyone's really going to completely alter his/her style on the basis of one 365 discussion. I definitely agree that this particular project is about doing what makes you happy. Keep doing that if it works for you.
Off to have a look through my 365 photos to see if I actually have...
I also wanted to add that now that I'm nearing the end of my first year it's amazing to look back and see how much I've improved, like lovely @laceyjogautreau said. While most of my project was done haphazardly, taking shots of what seemed fun to me, it's also been a good learning experience for what works and what falls flat. Even though this is only a hobby I still want to be as good at it as I possibly can so I'm always open to learning more. That's probably just the perfectionist German in me talking.
But the black vignet.. man I've used that quite a lot!!!
White vignette.
I think it's good to make more of a focus point sometimes!
Or to make it more vintage looking
I do have a tutorial for adding a subtle dark vignette in the program gimp, and I'm guessing it's done in a similar manner in photoshop. Here's the link if you want to check it out!
http://www.thismarvelouslife.com/2008/09/how-to-add-a-subtle-vignette-in-gimp/
I just used black vignette here, because in the top right corner, was a dark bronze roof visible, so to "hide that" I used black vignette to cover up all the corners as best I could. I use black at times...and the darkest tone of a color that almost looks black (like navy) if appropriate tone...but I learned really fast that light colored vigette only looks good in rare circumtances. But I am just a newbie, so ....
(the white vignette I am happy I used)
I only say that because after I posted it, I felt that some of my attention was going to the vignette instead of the skater. But, I guess it just comes down to personal preference.
I wouldn't want to use a vignette if it took away from the picture, but sometimes it just enhances the feel of it- like in this one. Instead of black, though I made it brown, to retain the "keepsake" feel of the picture.
I used white vignette on this one. Not so much because the photo was enhance by it, but because I was too lazy too move the distracting stuff from the background!
And for the white vignette, I have used it several time, on this one for example:
Tacky? Don't think so...
Black Vignette: Occasionally, but consider "burn" first
Who says "never"?! ;)
But that's my honest opinion
I understand that if it is for your personal taste, and your personal art, then use it until your heart is content.
But he is trying to open up a "professional" studio, and keeps complaining that he isn't getting any work, or good responses from his portfolio. So I do believe that if you want to be compensated for your work, you do have to do work that others find pleasing, or they aren't going to hire you. If they are paying for your service, as well as the final product, you need to either work with what sells, or hope that you find a a lot of people who like white vignetting...which obviously isn't the majority.
and as for people saying "youre not a photographer"
Photography is an art and each photo you take has special meaning to you.
Just because someone doesnt have a high quality expensive camera, doesnt mean they are not a photographer.
I know I'm late to this as I just joined and am reading through posts but I think that first....do what works for you and what you like. Second...I think vignettes can look wonderful depending on the photo, style, mood you are creating, and how strong it is.