How to Add a Vignette to a Photograph with GIMP
Open your photograph in GIMP (File ->> Open). , Add a new, black layer., Make it a soft light layer., Add a layer mask to your new layer., Loosely select some area around the centre of your frame., Fill this area with black.,Deselect your selection...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Open your photograph in GIMP (File ->> Open).
Bring up the Layers dialog with Ctrl+L.
Click the "New Layer" button at the bottom left.
Enter a name for it (we'll use "Vignette" in our example).
Set "Layer Fill Type" to "Foreground color" (this assumes that your foreground colour is set to black, which it usually is).
Hit "OK". , In the Layers dialog, click on your "Vignette" layer to select it, and select Soft light from the "Mode" drop-down box.
You will notice your whole image darkening noticeably.
This is fine., Right click on your "Vignette" layer and go to Add Layer Mask.
In the dialog that pops up, you want "Initialize Layer Mask to" set to "White (full opacity)".
Click "Add". , Use the freeform select tool (press F to bring this up) and draw a selection somewhere around the primary point of interest in your photo.
This does not need to be exact (and it might even be better if it is not). , Use your bucket tool (Shift+B) and click within the selection to fill it (this is assuming, again, that you have your foreground colour set to black).
You'll notice that the area within the selection has gone back to normal; this is because black areas on the layer mask (which we are editing) make the layer transparent. ,, Go to Filters
-> Blur
-> Gaussian Blur.
In the dialog that comes up, you want "Radius" set to a very large amount; a tenth of the longest edge of the photo is not too much.
The larger the radius, the more subtle the effect will be.
For our small 683x1024 photo, we used a radius of 159 pixels, which may not have been enough.
Hit "OK".
You'll notice that the sharp edges that used to exist at the borders of your selection have gone. , Click on your "Vignette" layer to select it (if it isn't already selected), and then slide the opacity slider towards the right until the effect is subtle enough.
Our example used an opacity of about 50%, but what you use is up to your judgment.
Too many photographs using a pseudo-vignette effect overdo it hugely.
Don't do this! , You may also want to save one version of it with the extension ".xcf"
which will allow you to later edit your image in GIMP (while retaining layers, layer masks and so forth), in case you notice a problem. -
Step 2: Add a new
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Step 3: black layer.
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Step 4: Make it a soft light layer.
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Step 5: Add a layer mask to your new layer.
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Step 6: Loosely select some area around the centre of your frame.
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Step 7: Fill this area with black.
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Step 8: Deselect your selection with Select -> None.
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Step 9: Blur your layer mask.
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Step 10: Change the opacity of the "vignette" layer.
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Step 11: You can now save your image in a format of your choice (JPEG is best for photographs).
Detailed Guide
Bring up the Layers dialog with Ctrl+L.
Click the "New Layer" button at the bottom left.
Enter a name for it (we'll use "Vignette" in our example).
Set "Layer Fill Type" to "Foreground color" (this assumes that your foreground colour is set to black, which it usually is).
Hit "OK". , In the Layers dialog, click on your "Vignette" layer to select it, and select Soft light from the "Mode" drop-down box.
You will notice your whole image darkening noticeably.
This is fine., Right click on your "Vignette" layer and go to Add Layer Mask.
In the dialog that pops up, you want "Initialize Layer Mask to" set to "White (full opacity)".
Click "Add". , Use the freeform select tool (press F to bring this up) and draw a selection somewhere around the primary point of interest in your photo.
This does not need to be exact (and it might even be better if it is not). , Use your bucket tool (Shift+B) and click within the selection to fill it (this is assuming, again, that you have your foreground colour set to black).
You'll notice that the area within the selection has gone back to normal; this is because black areas on the layer mask (which we are editing) make the layer transparent. ,, Go to Filters
-> Blur
-> Gaussian Blur.
In the dialog that comes up, you want "Radius" set to a very large amount; a tenth of the longest edge of the photo is not too much.
The larger the radius, the more subtle the effect will be.
For our small 683x1024 photo, we used a radius of 159 pixels, which may not have been enough.
Hit "OK".
You'll notice that the sharp edges that used to exist at the borders of your selection have gone. , Click on your "Vignette" layer to select it (if it isn't already selected), and then slide the opacity slider towards the right until the effect is subtle enough.
Our example used an opacity of about 50%, but what you use is up to your judgment.
Too many photographs using a pseudo-vignette effect overdo it hugely.
Don't do this! , You may also want to save one version of it with the extension ".xcf"
which will allow you to later edit your image in GIMP (while retaining layers, layer masks and so forth), in case you notice a problem.
About the Author
Brittany Richardson
A seasoned expert in lifestyle and practical guides, Brittany Richardson combines 3 years of experience with a passion for teaching. Brittany's guides are known for their clarity and practical value.
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