[rnbluvva]

Does anyone know how to make a vignette of an image using curves?

I saw a technique where someone used the lasso tool to make a rough selection, invert it and then use curves to make a vignette and I'd love to know if there was a special blending mode used.

I did this using an curves adjustment layer and pulled the center point down, but it made the skin tones darker and didn't blacken the image around the sides like I wanted it to.

[rnbluvva]

Just an update to say I used the Levels Adjustment layer and this worked better for this image. Seems to be on an image by image basis which Adjustment layer to use.

[byRo]

A few comments...

1) Besides making and inverting the selection, you'll probably want to feather also;

2) However, I would always advise not doing it this way but instead use a mask.
- Make a new adjustment layer (Levels or Curves - makes no difference) and lighten/darken all to the required final tone at the edges;
- Selecting the mask, make your oval selection and fill this with black;
- If you want a smooth vignette, just blur the mask;
- If you want to change the size, use levels on the mask;
- If it's in the wrong place move the mask.
= As you can see, you get a lot more control with the mask!

3) When you say "pulled the centre down" is that the centre of the curve? Doing this will darken the mid-tones but not affect the highlights - that's not what you want here.

Rô

[Daviskw]

Hi there

Using curves with a feathered selection will work just fine IF you make the blend mode of the curves adjustment layer...Luminosity. Give it a try

But like byRo I like to use masking.. but sometimes when I am in a hurry I use the curves method.

If I have time I make the oval selection or any selection I want. I change it to a quickmask and use Gaussian blur to get a visual on the feather. Then back to selection and I open a Solid color layer...now I can adjust opacity and color at any time.
If at anytime I want to change the oval I use a threshold adjustment. It removes the feather and allows you to change the size. Then you can reapply Gaussian blur to the mask to feather again... very flexible.
Butch