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What are vignettes?

What are vignettes?

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What are vignettes? Do you use them or recommend them?
Amal

Dear Amal:
Vignettes are drop in devices that you put in front of your lens (in some sort of holder) to cause part of your photograph to look different. The most common effect is to darken the photograph near the edges to draw the viewers eye toward the center. This can cut down on post production time and custom printing costs where that area might be "burned" down to make it a little darker. For high key work (where everything is white or very light) there are vignetting techniques to do the reverse. Lighten the outer areas of a photograph using frosted glass or plastic usually with light striking the vignetter. Usually the light coming from the scene and background is enough to lighten the edges but it is not unusual to fire a small strobe at an angle directly toward the vignetter. This is not my preferred method but it is occasionally done with varied results. This effect can also easily be done in post production with Photoshop. 

Many other techniques are also frequently done including using vignettes that have clear fingernail polish painted around the bottom and sides to add a soft dreamy quality to the image. All vignettes can be used to good effect but unfortunately are frequently over done or done incorrectly and as a result, the image file is not suitable to use. I use them very sparingly myself. I choose my locations carefully and light my subjects carefully to include natural vignetting. I use home made vignettes and filters to soften the outer edges and bottom of many of my romantic portraits, portraits of children and some images of couples. Remember, that filters and vignettes are best used like spice in food. Just enough to taste but not quite enough to identify.

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