Video:Create a Vignette Effect

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Transcript:Create a Vignette Effect

Hi, I'm Don Schechter for About.com Computing. Today I'll show you how to create a vignette effect in Photoshop Elements.

Open the Photo in Photoshop Elements

First, open Photoshop Elements. Now, I'll open a photo I want to add this effect to. We'll use a non-destructive way to alter the picture, meaning that the pixels will remain the same.

Select the Subject of the Photo

Double-click the background to change it to a layer. You can name it if you want, and click 'OK'.

Now select the elliptical marquee tool on the tool bar, and select the subject of your photo. If you need to reposition it, you can do that by pressing the space bar while the mouse is still pressed down.

Create a New Fill Layer

Create a new fill layer by going to layer, new fill layer, and selecting 'solid color.' Use black as a fill color, and click 'OK'. Deselect by pressing 'control D.'

Adjust the Amount of Blur

Go to filter, blur, Gaussian blur, and adjust the radius until you are happy with the amount of blur. Click 'OK' when you re finished.

Mask the Upper Layer

Now, select the filled ellipse layer, and drag it below the photo layer. Click on the photo layer and go to 'layer,' 'group with previous.'

Now the lower layer will act as a mask for the upper layer.

Add a Background

To add a background, go to 'Layer' in the tool bar, and select 'new fill layer.'

Choose 'solid color,' and pick a color for your background. I'll pick white.

Center the Vignette Photo

Now drag the new fill layer to the bottom of the layer stack. Hold the control key down, and click on the ellipse layer.

Go to image in the tool bar and choose crop. This will center the vignette photo without clipping the faded pixels. Go to 'save as,' and save a new copy of your photo with a vignette effect.

Thanks for watching. To learn more, visit us online at computing.about.com.