Everything you need to know about Vignette
Vignette darkens or brightens the edges of your image, naturally drawing the viewer's eye toward the center. This classic photographic effect mimics the light falloff of vintage lenses and is widely used in portraits, product photography, and artistic compositions to create focus and mood.
Parameters
- Strength
Controls how much of the vignette effect is blended with the original image. At 0, no vignette is visible. At 1.0, the full effect is applied. - Amount
Sets the intensity and direction of the vignette. Positive values (0 to +1) darken the edges – the classic vignette look. Negative values (-1 to 0) brighten the edges, creating an inverted or "glow from edges" effect. - Radius
Controls how far the vignette reaches toward the center. Smaller values (0.2–0.4) create a tight spotlight with more darkening. Larger values (0.7–1.0) push the effect toward the corners only. - Feather
Sets the softness of the transition between the clear center and the vignetted edges. Low values create a harder, more defined edge. Higher values (0.3–0.6) create smooth, gradual falloff for a natural look. - Roundness
Controls the shape of the vignette. At 1.0, the vignette is circular. Lower values stretch it horizontally into an oval shape, useful for wide-format images. - Center X / Center Y
Moves the vignette center point. Default is 0.5/0.5 (image center). Adjust these to position the clear area over an off-center subject. - Invert
When set to Yes, flips the effect so the center is darkened/brightened instead of the edges. Creates a "tunnel" or spotlight-from-behind effect.
Common Uses
- Portraits – Gently darken corners to draw attention to the face
- Product shots – Add a subtle spotlight feeling
- Vintage/film look – Simulate old lens characteristics
- Art/prints – Create a soft, "framed" appearance
Tips
- For natural results, start subtle: Amount 0.15–0.35 with Feather 0.35+
- Heavy vignettes (Amount 0.6+) work for dramatic or vintage styles
- Move the center point to follow off-center subjects
- Reduce Roundness for panoramic or ultrawide images