White Vignettes . . .

Vignettes are useful for keeping the viewer's eye within the image, and are suitable for many images. This video runs through applying a white vignette to an image. Several examples lurk towards the bottom of this page as well.

Presentation: Deals with issues regarding displaying an image on a black background

Composition and other stuff: evaluating images

Composition and other stuff: evaluating images, Page Two

Split Toning
a color image

White Vignettes
A good way to enhance many images.

Edge Burn - Vignettes
Keep the viewer's attention on the intended subject.

Once the movie begins, it can be paused and restarted with the space bar.

View in darkened conditions if possible.

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I generally think of a vignette as soft edged, rather than with a hard edge, but I suppose both ways qualify as a vignette.

They help eliminate distractions that draw the eye's attention, if not actually leading one's vision right out of the image. Vignettes help tell us where to look, somewhat like bold type does. The motor bike image is full of "bold type", and the vignette eliminates some of it. The vignette simplifies the image, reducing the brain strain needed to locate the center of interest.

I think you can agree that my hastily done vignette on the motor bike makes it easier to focus on the motor, which pretty clearly is the main subject. It may well be more successful with less (or none) of the rear wheel showing.

I run out of fingers and toes counting the distractions in the before image.

For the images here, I just painted away detail with a full soft brush

Most vignettes can be done freehand. However, in a few cases, such as the video's example, selections and masks can be employed for accuracy, and or repeatability. As in to re-paint the vignette to test the affect of various colors.

Head and shoulder portraits are often well suited for vignettes, whether light or dark.