Vignetting is an effect where edges of a photograph are dark in colour and appear to be block by something around the lens. It normally occurs if you taking a wide angle photograph.

In some situations, vignetting is undesired but in some special exceptions, having vignetting effect will add more artistic touch to the whole photograph. How to add vignetting effect to a photograph in Photoshop?

Step 1: Open the photograph in Photoshop. Create a layer of black on top of the original photo by adding a new layer first and filling the layer with black colour using paint bucket.

Step 2: Go to Select>Feather and enter a range of pixels from 30 to 170 pixels depending on the resolution of the photograph. You really need to trial and error for this. See the effect after you had reached Step 4.

Step 3: Using the Retangular Marquee Tool, select the area of the photograh, leaving slightly around 1 finger space around the border. (You only want the edges to be black and not the whole photo!)

Step 4: By now you should see the dotted area you have selected with round edges due to the feather pixel settings. With focus on the black layer, just press “D” to delete the select area and you will see the vignetting effect.

Step 5: If you need the edges are too dark for you, just go to Layer Palette and adjust the opacity accordingly. If you think the vignetting effects cover too large an area, play with the amount of area you select in Step 3.

Conclusion: Vignetting isnt for every photo! Normally vignetting effect appear to enhance photographs that are more mono-tone and dull in colour.