Vignettes are a great tool for helping to guide the viewer’s eyes to the subject of your photos. In this post I demonstrate using vignettes in the GIMP. You can apply a vignette directly on a photo; as an overlay, by putting it on a separate layer; or apply it to the layer mask. Visually, there is no difference between the first two. However, the first uses less memory and the second is non-destructive. I often use the last option to apply custom settings to one part of a photo.

In GIMP, the vignette filter is found in the Light and Shadows group in the Filters drop down menu.

The vignette filter in the GIMP is easy to use. It has several ways to finesse the shape and location of the vignette: on-canvas controls that you can drag into place, sliders, or typing in the values that you want (useful for exactly matching vignettes on different pictures). You can also customize the color.

Workflow for using the vignette filter in the GIMP

First, select the shape that suits your image. The tool allows you to designate the basic shape as a circle, square, diamond, horizontal, or vertical from a drop down menu.

Then place the center of the vignette over the area of the image that you want to leave un-shaded. N.B., Using it as a layer mask is a bit different, see below.

Next, adjust the size and shape of the central shape. Then you can use either the on-canvas controls or the sliders to fine tune the shape.

Once you have the central area defined you can adjust the radius, which defines where the full vignette is in effect (where the color of the vignette entirely obscures the photo). The gradient or fall off is controlled by the gamma slider or moving the dashed line. You can also rotate the entire effect using either the rotation control or dragging outside of the radius.

Once you have things the way you like them click “OK”, and there you are.

Using a vignette on a layer mask

Create a layer mask by selecting the layer you want masked. Then you can either choose from the layer drop down menu, as shown below, or right click on the layer and choose add mask. You have two choices at this point.

1. Applying adjustments to the center of the image

When the options open up choose White (full opacity). Then, with the layer mask selected, open the vignette filter and apply it to the layer. With the preview box checked you can see the effects as you work.

2. Applying adjustments to the edges of the image

Choose a Black (full transparency) mask. Then, with the mask layer chosen and the vignette filter controls open, change the color of the vignette to white.

Fine tuning

If you feel like the edge of the vignette is too harsh, and you have used the vignette as its own layer or a mask, you can select the layer or mask and apply a blur (from the Blur drop down found under the Filters tab) to soften it’s edges. I have only used the Gaussian blur option, but you might be able to get creative with some of the other choices. Hmm…maybe I’ll have to give that a try.

In conclusion

If you’d like to see more articles about using the GIMP check out this page: GIMP Articles & Tutorials.

If you want to share your creations, check out the 1 to 3 Photo Processing Challenge on my personal blog.