How to Create and Customize a Vignette in Lightroom for Perfect Results

If you enjoy photography or editing photos, you might have heard of the vignette effect. In Lightroom, a vignette enables you to darken or lighten the edges of your photo. This draws more focus to the center of the image. It works well for portraits, landscapes, and other types of photography.

In this article, we will explain how to use vignettes in Lightroom for creating personalized shots on different occasions.

Make captivating photos with Adobe Lightroom vignette

Now that you know the basics of the vignette on Lightroom, let's look at how to use this effect in your photos. By changing the vignette settings, you can create different moods and highlights that make a simple image look amazing. Moreover, it is a readily available feature in many editors, enabling photographers to edit their images like a pro.

5 must-use Lightroom Classic vignette effects

Lightroom Classic makes it easy to enhance your photos with vignette effects that add focus and creativity to your edits. Whether you want a soft, natural look or a bold, dramatic feel, these effects can transform your images. Here are 5 must-use Lightroom Classic vignette effects:

• Subtle edge darkening
• A vignette in Lightroom Classic with subtle edge darkening adds a gentle touch to photos. This effect slightly darkens the corners of the image, helping to focus attention on the center. It works well for portraits or images where you want to maintain a light mood while guiding the viewer's eye.
• Vintage vignette look
• For a nostalgic feel, the vintage vignette effect is a great option. It adds a classic darkened edge with a soft transition, making your images resemble those taken with older film cameras. This effect adds character, especially in black-and-white or muted-tone photos.
• Soft focus vignette effect
• The soft focus vignette effect adds a dreamy, blurred edge to photos. It is ideal for nature shots, where you want to soften the background while keeping the subject clear. By adjusting the vignette's feather and midpoint settings, you can create a gentle blur that gives your photo a calming feel.
• Circular vignette enhancement
• Circular Lightroom vignette presets ensure attention at the center of the image in a defined circular shape. It works best for portraits or close-up shots where the subject is in the middle of the frame. By controlling the size and feathering of the vignette, you can emphasize the subject in a focused way.
• Dynamic light control vignette
• The dynamic light control vignette helps balance light and shadows in your photos. It lets you adjust the intensity of the vignette to control how light flows through the image. By darkening the edges and brightening the center, you create a dramatic contrast that adds depth.

The 3 best ways to create a vignette in Adobe Lightroom

Adding a vignette effect to your photos in Lightroom Classic can improve the focus and mood of your images. Whether you want a subtle or strong effect, this software provides tools to help you create the right vignette. Below are the 3 best ways to add a vignette in Lightroom Classic:

1. Post-crop vignette tool

The post-crop vignette tool in Lightroom Classic is an easy way to add fade-outs to the edges of your photos. It works best when you have already cropped your image because it adjusts the vignette based on the final crop rather than the original photo. Here's how you can use this tool to add a vignette in Lightroom Classic:

Step
1. Access the post-crop vignette tool
2. In the "Develop" module, go to the "Effects" panel and find the "Post-Crop Vignette" tool under the "Vignette" section. It's set to "Highlight Priority" by default for smooth blending.
Step
3. Adjust the amount
4. Use the "Amount" slider to control the vignette's darkness or lightness. Slide left to darken edges or right to lighten them for the desired vignette strength.
Step
5. Fine-tune the size and feathering
6. Adjust the "Midpoint" slider to control the vignette's size, and use the "Feather" slider to soften or harden the transition for a smoother or more defined effect.
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2. Radial filter

The radial filter enables you to control the shape and position of your vignette. Unlike the post-crop vignette, you can place the vignette wherever you want, making it ideal for off-center subjects. This tool is great for creating unique and custom fade-outs in photos, and you can also make local adjustments. Here is how you can use the radial filter to add a vignette in Lightroom:

Step
1. Select the radial filter
2. Find the "Radial Filter" tool in the "Adjustment Tools" section or "Tools" menu. Click and drag from the center outward to create your desired shape.
Step
3. Position the filter
4. Reposition the filter by dragging the center pin. Adjust the size by pulling the edges to define the vignette area.
Step
5. Adjust the exposure
6. Lower the "Exposure" slider to darken the edges within the filter. Fine-tune with the "Shadows" or "Blacks" sliders to refine the vignette effect.
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3. Lens correction

The lens correction method gives a soft vignette that is similar to the natural vignette created by camera lenses. It is best for those who want a subtle look that doesn't distract them from the subject. It's ideal for photographers who like a light touch that enhances their images without being too noticeable. Here is how you can create a vignette in Lightroom with this method:

Step
1. Access the lens correction panel
2. In the "Develop" module, go to the "Lens Corrections" panel and select "Manual." You'll find the "Amount" and "Midpoint" sliders under the "Vignetting" section.
Step
3. Adjust the amount
4. Move the "Amount" slider to the right to darken the edges and enhance the vignette. This increases the effect, drawing focus to the center of the image.
Step
5. Fine-Tune the midpoint
6. Use the "Midpoint" slider to control how far the vignette extends into the center, ensuring it complements the image.
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How to add a vignette using Lightroom on a mobile

Adding a vignette in the Lightroom mobile app is easy and can help highlight your subject and improve your photos. Although the mobile version has fewer options than the desktop version, you can still use different techniques for your images. You can adjust the vignette globally, use a radial filter, or apply lens corrections. Here is how you can use the vignette effects with Lightroom on mobile:

Step
1. Open the effects tab
2. Go to the "Effects" tab and adjust the "Vignette" slider to darken the edges. Use the additional sliders to fine-tune the Midpoint, Feather, Roundness, and Highlights.
Step
3. Use the radial filter
4. Tap the "Selective" tab, click the "+" icon, and choose "Radial Filter." Drag to create a mask and adjust the size and position for your vignette.
Step
5. Apply lens profile corrections
6. In the "Optics" menu, enable "Lens Profile Corrections." If necessary, manually select your lens to add a natural vignette effect.
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Bonus tips: Create cinematic videos with vignettes in CapCut

CapCut desktop video editor is a popular tool that helps you create cinematic effects, like vignettes, to improve your footage. Its easy-to-use interface lets you quickly add and customize vignettes to highlight your subject and add a dramatic touch. Whether you are editing for social media or a professional project, CapCut provides simple yet powerful tools to enhance your videos.



Key features

CapCut has a range of features to enhance your videos, from vignette effects to AI-driven enhancements. Here's a quick overview of the key features you can use:

• A variety of vignette styles are available
• Choose from a range of vignette styles to enhance your video's atmosphere, adding depth and focus to the subject in your shot.
• AI stabilization for smooth shots
• With video stabilization, correct shaky footage ensures smooth, professional-looking shots without the need for manual adjustments.
• AI color correction for vibrancy
• CapCut's AI analyzes your footage and adjusts the colors, making your video more vibrant, visually striking, and balanced without any manual input.
• Remove flicker instantly
• With just one click, remove video flickers caused by lighting changes, ensuring your video appears smooth and consistent throughout.
• Instantly add motion blur to videos
• Add cinematic motion blur effects to fast-moving scenes, enhancing the dynamic flow of your video and making action shots feel more immersive.

How to make videos with vignettes in CapCut

To get started with CapCut, download and install it from the official website. Simply click the button below to download and begin creating your videos with stunning vignettes.

Step
1. Import the video
2. Open the CapCut desktop video editor and upload your video by clicking on "Import" or dragging and dropping the video onto the workspace.
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Step
4. Add a vignette and fine-tune the video
5. Go to the "Effects" tab in CapCut and search for "Vignette" to explore a variety of dark, light, and colorful effects for your videos. Click the add button to apply it instantly. You can also use the "Adjustments" tab to fine-tune the vignette's brightness or darkness for a custom look.
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Step
7. Export and share
8. Once you're happy with the video, click the "Export" button and choose your preferred settings. Share the final result directly to your platform or save it for later use.
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Conclusion

In conclusion, adding a vignette in Lightroom is a useful way to make your photos look more dramatic or focused. You can use different tools like the post-crop vignette, radial filter, or lens correction to create the vignette that suits your style. By adjusting settings like exposure, feathering, and midpoint, you can get the exact vignette effect you want. This gives you more control over your photo and highlights the key areas. If you work with videos too, the CapCut desktop video editor is a great way to add similar vignette effects and improve your footage easily.

FAQs

1. How does the Lightroom vignette tool enhance images?
2. The Lightroom vignette tool darkens or lightens the edges of an image, drawing attention to the center or subject. This effect helps to create a mood or focus on specific parts of the photo. For video content, the CapCut desktop video editor also enables you to add vignettes and adjust their intensity seamlessly.
3. Can I use the Lightroom vignette for color grading?
4. While the vignette tool itself is not primarily for color grading, it can complement color adjustments by focusing on specific areas of the image. You can combine it with other color tools for a complete look. However, for enhanced color grading and corrections, you can use the AI tools in the CapCut desktop video editor to make captivating videos.
5. Where can I find the Lightroom vignette presets?
6. Lightroom has built-in vignette presets, or you can download additional ones from online communities and resources. To apply them, simply access the "Effects" panel in Lightroom. For an effortless vignette effect in the video, try the CapCut desktop video editor, which provides quick and customizable vignette features for your footage.