CS3 assistance

gail9180

When I create a vignette, using the curves and then put a gaussian blur to the max, it places rings of pixelations in my images. Does anyone know how to remove or fix that? I like the vignetting effect, just not the extra pixelation. Can't notice it as much on screen, but looks really bad in prints. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

SloYerRoll

First off, which CS3 app are you using?

There are very easy ways to create vignette's in ACR, Ps & Lr w/o digging into the curves dialog. I usually think setting gaussian blur at 30 is hardcore. I haven't heard much reason to max this tool out.

Pleasae try to be a bit more detailed so the ppl in here can help out!

Cheers,
-Jon

gail9180

SloYerRoll wrote:

First off, which CS3 app are you using?

There are very easy ways to create vignette's in ACR, Ps & Lr w/o digging into the curves dialog. I usually think setting gaussian blur at 30 is hardcore. I haven't heard much reason to max this tool out.

Pleasae try to be a bit more detailed so the ppl in here can help out!

Cheers,
-Jon

Sorry, Using CS3 Extended. I use the elliptical marquee tool the select the area, then inverse the selection, use the curves to darken the image background and then blur it to blend in. I would be glad to hear other suggestions. Thanks.

SloYerRoll

So by saying extended, you mean your using Photoshop.

If you have Ps CS3 then you also have Bridge and ACR (Adobe Camera Raw).

Open up your image in ACR.
Go to this link (it's a 6MB PDF):
http://www.photoshopforphotographers.com/pscs3/download/sample-02.pdf
and go to page 22.

This entire PDF is pure gold but page 22 is relevant for you now so we'll just stick w/ that.

After you have an image open in ACR and have read this page. You should know how to vignette to hour hearts content by only adjusting two sliders!

I've been a bit brief in the reply. But it's not hard to grasp once you read the page I mentioned. Let me know if you have questions after you do this

gail9180

Thanks for that information, but if you could give me another example for situations for which I may have to use an older version of photoshop? Thanks again. I appreciate your time.

pathfinder

Vignettes can be added several ways.


CTRL-J for a new layer. Select with the elliptical lasso or the marquee tool for a more rectangular selection. Select>Modify>Feather -- try 200 to 250 pixels for a feather. Invert your selection with Select>Inverse.

Now you can darken this selected area with Brightness/Contrast found by clicking on the black/white circle at the bottom of the layer palette ( which is to bring up a new fill or adjustment layer) Adjust the Brightness/Contrast sliders as desired and refine by using the Opacity slider on the layer palette.

OR - you can use a radial gradient - Type D for black ink, and then type G - and click on the second tool from the left in the gradient toolbar for the radial gradient tool. It looks like a black square with a white circle in the center. Click on the Black to transparent gradient, and click in the center of your image and drag to a corner. If the center gets dark, reverse the direction of the gradient where is says "reverse"

I have used both of these techniques for some time. I tend to prefer the Brightness/Contrast sliders. The gradient tool offers the option of different colors for your gradient and hence for your vignette.

OffTopic

One more simple way for older versions:

Ctrl-J for new layer. Rectangular marquee around the entire image. Edit stroke - I usually find that 3-5 pixels works best. Gaussian blur until desired effect is achieved, adjust opacity to taste.