Vignettingtechnical
Darkening toward the corners of the frame — sometimes a lens flaw, sometimes added on purpose.
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Darkened corners draw the eye in40%
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No vignetteVignette addedLenses (especially wide open) often let less light reach the corners, darkening them. It's easily corrected in editing, and lens profiles do it automatically. Photographers also add vignetting deliberately to draw the eye toward the center and the subject. A little can be flattering; too much looks like a tunnel.
Use this when
- Draw the eye to the subject: add a subtle vignette in edit
- Clean corners: stop down a stop, or apply lens correction
Common mistake: Cranking a heavy vignette that looks like you're peering through a telescope.