To vignette, or not

yoyostock

If it has not happened naturally (through the lens, with the existing light), what are the "rules" for then adding a dark vignette improves a photo?

There are always case-by-case justifications, but I was wondering if there were any overall guidelines. Would it be overkill to add a vignette to all photos?

In my case, I shot a dinner event. It was in a medium-sized room with usual medium low-level dinner lighting. Because there's not much action going on in the corners, I thought that the vignettes help the eyes focus in on the people, rather than the bland backgrounds. But do I then add vignettes to the whole evening's worth of shots?

Help?

Aspire

Just my 2c

I am sure you are going to get responses for and against applying vignette, I think it can add a certain feel to an image if used right and not overdone. I think it can be overused if applied to every photo, but if select images are edited I think it works. That's just my opinion & am sure there are others out there that hate the effect lol.

I also play with lighting effects in elements and you can achieve a heavier or softer vignette look than when using the correct camera distortion option.

I would post up some examples of the images

EphTwoEight

:lurk

pathfinder

This question has been considered by artists long before photography existed, and answered in the paintings they produced.

I would suggest you look at a number of paintings in museums as you consider this question. You will then have your answer. I know what my opinion, on that basis, is.

Think of a theatrical stage - where does the light shine? Where are the shadows? Why did the director decide to light the stage this way?

yoyostock

pathfinder wrote:

This question has been considered by artists long before photography existed, and answered in the paintings they produced.

I would suggest you look at a number of paintings in museums as you consider this question. You will then have your answer. I know what my opinion, on that basis, is.

Think of a theatrical stage - where does the light shine? Where are the shadows? Why did the director decide to light the stage this way?

Paintings? Interesting...I shall have to go and check it out.

davidweaver

The answer is in the eye of the artist and the beholder. There will be some general consensus about too much and there will be 'purists' that don't want any of it.

Do what you feel is right. Take chances and change things around later if you want to do that. It is your image that you are providing. Taking the picture is only part of it.

Cheers,
David

Manfr3d

Vignetting can be used to guide the viewers attention and to create a
more dramatic look. My advice is to just experiment and apply this
technique whenever you think it benefits your picture. This shot form
yesterday looked very dull without the added vignetting: