The Boom Vignette (More Subtle Than the Name)

By Liz Ness · February 8th, 2011

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Related Tags: vignettes

There are photographs that speak to me through their darkened and blurred corners. These images are less than perfect and yet magical due to their beautiful vignetting. Whether by natural effect due to the camera or by post-processing for artistic impact, the imperfection adds to the mood, theme, and story of the image. I simply adore Holga images — largely, because of their vignettes. There is something rather beautiful and interesting within the imperfect capture of a toy camera.

Vignetting, however, is not for everyone and critics complain that these photos take on a Western edge, reminding them of Gunsmoke. Indeed, there are all sorts of tutorials on how to remove vignetting from images.

While it is true that vignetting is not for every photograph (nor every photographer), I believe that the effect does have its place. It can add drama, create nostalgia, frame images in subtle ways, and dial-in the focus of an image by enhancing what is sharp, bright, and important — while minimizing that which is distracting. Further, a vignette doesn’t have to be bold, it can be soft. Indeed, one of my favorite post-processed vignettes is quite subtle (though the name would suggest otherwise): The boom vignette.

To create the effect for your own images, follow these steps:

Open your image in Photoshop Elements and create a copy (Ctrl-J for PC, Command-J for Mac).
Select the Custom Shape Tool (U) and choose the Boom shape (under Symbols in the panel drop-down menu).
(UPDATE/TIP: Even though we’re going to cut the shape in a later step, please use the Shape tool and not the Cookie Cutter tool to create the shape. This will ensure that you get the right cut later on.)
Draw the Boom shape over the focal point of your image, making sure to cover the focal point with the shape.
While pressing Ctrl (Command for Mac), left-click on the shape layer to create a selection from the shape.
Click on the image copy (Background copy) and press Ctrl-X (Mac: Command-X) to cut the shape selection from Background copy.
(UPDATE/NOTE: At this point, it may look like nothing has happened, because the copy and the background look the same. However, please proceed to the next steps to reveal the vignette.)
Hide the visibility of the shape layer (by pressing the eye icon next to the layer). Then, with the Background copy still selected, choose Multiply for the blending mode.
Next, select Filter>Blur>Gaussian Blur and drag the slider all of the way to the right.

Tips: After creating the vignette, try sliding the the opacity slider to the left, reducing the opacity and applying as much or as little of the effect as you like for the image. Also, try a different blend mode for the Background Copy, like Darker Color or Luminosity, changing the effect for different results. Finally, try rotating the boom shape to change how the “rays” of light work within the image.

As far as vignettes go, the Boom Vignette is more subtle, but has the same impact, drawing a viewer’s focus to the subject. In addition, the asymmetrical, jagged shape and the blur work well together, creating an impression of an imperfect capture and wild drama.

Related Tags: vignettes

60 Replies to The Boom Vignette (More Subtle Than the Name):

James
February 8, 2011 at 1:04 pm

Interesting! A must try.
Hans
February 9, 2011 at 1:50 am

Great fun. I ‘ll apply the effect in some photo’s.
Dan
February 9, 2011 at 3:19 am

Very creative – thanks for all you do for your subscribers!!
Liz
February 9, 2011 at 7:46 am

Thanks for your comments James, Hans, and Dan! =)
Mary
February 9, 2011 at 10:51 am

Nice! Very cool take on a standard vignette effect. Thanks!
- Liz
  February 9, 2011 at 11:07 am
  
  Thanks Mary! =)
Julie
February 9, 2011 at 10:58 am

Hi Liz!

Tony started a thread at EV about your technique and others have posted their results. You might want to pop in and see….

http://www.elementsvillage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=63668

It is really nifty and I love the name…..
- Liz
  February 9, 2011 at 11:07 am
  
  Cool! Thank you, Julie! =)
Judy
February 9, 2011 at 11:49 am

The thread is sparking a lot of interest in the effect. Love it.
- Liz
  February 9, 2011 at 2:04 pm
  
  Thanks Judy! =)
Rosi
February 9, 2011 at 5:38 pm

Love it! This is something I’m going to use a lot.
Thanks so much for opening another door.
- Liz
  February 9, 2011 at 8:28 pm
  
  You bet, Rosi! =)
Doris
February 9, 2011 at 5:51 pm

Thank you so much for bringing this subtle, yet effective method to our attention. I surely will be trying it out!
Thanks too, for putting these tutorials in a format that can be printed out. I really like referring to a hard copy when trying new methods and I appreciate the extra work you all do to make this happen.
- Liz
  February 9, 2011 at 8:29 pm
  
  Thank you Doris for your comment and feedback! =)
Steve
February 9, 2011 at 6:05 pm

Liz…. you are wonderful. I struggled with this image using my own processing. I have an earlier version uploaded into my Flickr Stream. Using your guidance above, I further darkened areas that needed darkening and lighten the sun’s glow giving a moonlit night affect. This image was taken at HIGH Noon in the brightest of sunshine. I was after a moon beam affect cast on this abandoned house. You would never know this was a bright sunshine day. Thank you so very much….!!!! I think this link will take you to the image I posted in Elements.

http://www.elementsvillage.com/forums/showthread.php?p=568107#post568107

Steve
- Liz
  February 9, 2011 at 8:34 pm
  
  Steve, I LOVE your photograph — it’s AWESOME! Also, thanks so much for your kind comment.
  
  - Liz =)
- Louise
  February 13, 2011 at 12:45 pm
  
  Your photo is terrific! Great job
  - Liz
    February 13, 2011 at 5:01 pm
    
    Thanks so much Louise! =)
  - Liz
    February 15, 2011 at 3:28 pm
    
    PS: Oops — came in through email — the kudos are for STEVE! I love his photograph, too. =)
Mary Lou
February 9, 2011 at 7:35 pm

Liz, thank you for this tutorial. The results are definitely subtle but very effective. Take a look!!

http://www.elementsvillage.com/forums/showthread.php?p=568134#post568134
Liz
February 9, 2011 at 8:35 pm

LOVE it, Mary Lou — so pretty! Thanks so much for your comment and for sharing your photo — it’s so fun to see what you all are creating! =)
Tonya
February 13, 2011 at 8:40 am

Looks like fun. Going to try it soon. Thanks for sharing.
- Liz
  February 13, 2011 at 5:01 pm
  
  AWESOME — please share when you do — I’d love to see your photographs! =)
Lee
February 15, 2011 at 8:55 am

After numerous attempts, I can’t get this to work. 3 questions:
1) In Elements 9, command-J doesn’t give “Background copy”, it gives “Layer 1″. Are these the same?
2) When drawing the boom shape, is this to be on the Background layer, or the Upper Layer?
3) Does it matter what the Foreground and Background colors are?
- Liz
  February 15, 2011 at 9:15 am
  
  Hi Lee!
  
  I’m sorry this isn’t working the same for you as it was for me. Let’s see if we can figure this out…
  
  1) I don’t think the layer name really matters — what matters is getting the copy. Do you get a copy of the background in your new Layer 1? If so, that’s perfect — if not, please select Layer\Duplicate Layer from the menu bar.
  
  2) The boom shape will be drawn on its own layer. Then, you’ll use it to make a selection. Once the selection is made, you’ll select the copied layer (in your case, Layer 1 — if it’s the copy). Next, delete the selection (Edit\Cut) from that copy layer. Finally, hide the visibility of the boom/shape layer.
  
  3) It really doesn’t matter what the foreground and background colors are — any will be fine.
  
  Good luck, Lee!
  
  =) Liz
  - Liz
    February 15, 2011 at 9:17 am
    
    PS: For #1 — Layer\Duplicate Layer is the menu selection that is equivalent to Command-J. And, I’ve recommend that, just in case your quick keys have been set to something else, other than the defaults. =)
  - Barbara
    February 23, 2011 at 3:21 am
    
    Doesn’t work for me either. I’m using Elements 8 and when I get to Step 5. (Click on the image copy (Background copy) and press Ctrl-X (Mac: Command-X) to cut the shape selection from Background copy.) nothing happens. Nothing is cut from the copy layer.
    
    Please help…. I’d love to try this technique.
Lee
February 15, 2011 at 10:51 am

Still doesn’t work. Thanks anyway.
- Liz
  February 15, 2011 at 3:27 pm
  
  Oh, I’m sorry Lee.
- Liz
  February 23, 2011 at 7:54 am
  
  Hi Barbara,
  
  I’m sorry this isn’t working for you. When you complete step #4, do you see “marching ants?” That is, has a selection been made?
  
  Also, it may look like nothing has happened — even when the layer copy has been cut (because the layer copy is identical to the background). So, please proceed to the next step (or change the blending mode to multiply on the layer copy and then proceed) to double-check.
  
  Best wishes,
  
  Liz
Kenneth
February 24, 2011 at 11:31 am

Can’t seem to make this work.

1.) You state to draw the shape on it’s own layer. Does this mean after duplicating the background layer you should should create a new layer and draw the shape on that layer?
- Liz
  February 24, 2011 at 12:37 pm
  
  Hi Kenneth,
  
  Here’s a quick run down to help…
  
  1) Open your image — this will be called Background.
  2) Create a copy of the image — this will be called Background Copy.
  3) Draw the shape on it’s own layer (it should do this automatically in PSE 9 — if it doesn’t, create a new layer then draw the shape) — this will be called Shape Layer
  
  Then…
  4) Select the shape (e.g., press Ctrl while clicking on Shape Layer).
  5) Cut the shape (Ctrl-X) from Background Copy (so, after making the selection via the Shape Layer, click on the Background Copy layer and press Ctrl-X).
  
  NOTE: When you cut the shape from Background Copy, it may seem as if nothing has happened (because the layers Background Copy and Background are identical). However, once you’ve chosen the Multiply blending option for Background Copy, the cut will be more obvious.
  
  Finally…
  6) Hide the visibility of Shape Layer.
  7) Blend and blur the Background Copy layer.
  
  Hope that helps.
  
  Best wishes!
  
  Liz
Kenneth
February 25, 2011 at 11:39 am

Thanks Liz for your timely response. I feel really dumb. I was using the ‘Cookie Cutter Tool’ instead of the ‘Shape Tool’ to create the boom shape. Not sure if others are making the same mistake causing them difficulty in creating this wonderful effect. Maybe a directive warning in the instructions in step 2 may clarify this significant nuisance.
- Liz
  February 25, 2011 at 1:45 pm
  
  Thank you Kenneth — that is a good insight — I’ll update the instructions to help others.
  
  Thanks again,
  
  =) Liz
Barbara
February 27, 2011 at 2:21 pm

I could not get this to work as outlined until I simplified the shape layer. Only then could I use Ctrl to select the shape and then cut it from the background copy layer. It took a lot of trial and error before I figured out that step seemed to be needed. I liked the affect once I managed to figure out how to get it.
Barbara
February 27, 2011 at 2:33 pm

Oh, now I see what I was doing. You have to left click on the boom shape itself on the shape layer. I was clicking on the wrong spots. I worked around by simplifying the layer and then using the magic wand to select the shape.
- Liz
  February 27, 2011 at 3:20 pm
  
  Hi Barbara! Thanks for sharing your discoveries — your experience might help others, too. Also, I’m glad the effect worked for you — it can be so fun!
  
  =) Liz
Janet
March 7, 2011 at 5:41 pm

Liz, I had the same issue as Barbara (clicking in the wrong spot to create a selection from the shape). I know these “comments” can get a little mundane, but reading through what others have done saved me hours of hair pulling! This is a very worthwhile effect that I will use often. (I was getting tired of the darkened outer edge vignette!) Thanks to you… and the others who commented.
- Liz
  March 7, 2011 at 6:00 pm
  
  Thanks so much, Janet! =)
francis
March 12, 2011 at 3:41 pm

Nice effect. Only problem is that the instructions are useless. It doesn’t work.
- Liz
  March 13, 2011 at 8:05 am
  
  Sorry this isn’t working for you Francis.
Charlotte
March 18, 2011 at 12:10 pm

Liz, You are so creative in finding this! I am going to try it. Thanks so much!
- Liz
  March 18, 2011 at 2:14 pm
  
  Thanks Charlotte — also, I love your web site name (Charlotte’s Web) how clever! =)
Verneitta
April 4, 2011 at 9:55 am

This is great!
I’m glad that I was able to print it.
Steve
April 21, 2011 at 4:56 pm

Thank you again Liz and Rick, just saw my image in the May/June issue of Elements Magazine. I can not thank you enough. This tutorial is wonderful.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/42247711@N08/5422455645/
- Liz
  April 21, 2011 at 7:00 pm
  
  Thank YOU Steve! =)
- Donna
  May 18, 2011 at 8:59 am
  
  your pictures are awesome.
Ken
August 23, 2011 at 4:21 pm

Simple and clean effect with lots of “adjustable” options. It’s really a “natural” assignment.
With your permission, I’ll print it up and give it to my photo class of senior citizens and see what they can come up with.
Sometimes I’m really surprised.
Thanks, Liz
- Liz
  August 24, 2011 at 10:49 am
  
  Hi Ken,
  
  As long as your printouts indicate that the article is by Liz Ness and Photoshop Elements Techniques Magazine, you have our permission.
  
  Enjoy!
  
  Liz
Jill
August 28, 2011 at 6:33 pm

Help – I’m trying and can not get this to work on my Mac with Elements 9. I’m good to step 5 – I create the boom, get it selected but when I select the background copy, it unselects the boom and it doesn’t cut from the background. I’m using the Command X but I lose my selection once I select another layer. Can you help me – I really want to use this – it looks awesome in the photos. Thanks! JILL
- Liz
  August 29, 2011 at 9:02 am
  
  Hi Jill,
  
  When you’ve selected the shape, do you see the “marching ants”–the moving dashed/dotted line around the edges of the shape?
  
  Thanks for the clarification–it’ll help me to help you.
  
  =) Liz
Jill
August 29, 2011 at 1:14 pm

I’m thinking Not – I can tell it’s selected but not moving? When I left click I get an option box of send backyards, send to back, and edit layer style. when I right click, holding down command, I get the boom shape outlined with little boxes at each point, maybe it’s matching?
- Liz
  August 29, 2011 at 4:38 pm
  
  Hi Jill,
  
  Okay, that sounds like a great place to start then, with the selection…
  
  a) Click (with the mouse) on the shape layer to make it the active layer.
  b) Press the Command key (for Mac) and while you’re pressing it, click with the mouse on the active layer. This should create your selection with the marching ants.
  c) Now, mouse click on the background layer to make it the active layer.
  d) Press Command + X to cut the shape from the layer.
  
  And, that should do it. Best wishes, Jill!
  
  =) Liz
Jill
August 29, 2011 at 7:42 pm

Thanks Liz – That worked perfectly!!!! Thanks so much!!!! JILL
- Liz
  August 30, 2011 at 7:27 am
  
  Oh, that’s awesome! Thanks for letting me know and happy boom “vignetting!”
  
  =) Liz
Laura L.
October 12, 2011 at 5:28 am

Definitely have to try this.
Marie
December 2, 2011 at 8:44 am

I think it would be nice if you had a topic on photographing and editing smoke photography. Lately I have been playing around with photographing smoke and editing in Elements. I have some questions about putting several different photos of smoke together seamlessly.
Bernice
January 1, 2012 at 12:53 pm

I just tried this on a portrait and the effect is great. I will be using it again.
Nancy RC
April 3, 2012 at 12:04 pm

#4. While pressing Ctrl (Command for Mac), left-click on the shape layer to create a selection from the shape.

When I left click to select the shape, the marching ants do not appear….only little boxes on the tips of each point. Then when I click the ‘background copy’ the selection de-selects , so I never get to cut it out of the background copy.
I have retried numerous times and still cannot get the ‘marching ants’ to appear. I have read where other users have had the same issue….only theirs resolved.

I am using Elements 10….and cannot get this to work. Any suggestions as to how to get the marching ants (selection) to appear. thank you.
Liz
April 7, 2012 at 11:36 am

Hi Nancy,

I’m not completely certain, but my guess is that the menu item– View > Selection –hasn’t been chosen/selected. This means that even though the shape is selected, there is no way to see the selection.

Under the View menu, look for a check-mark next the the Selection menu option. If there isn’t one, then click on Selection. Now, you should be able to see the selections you’ve made.

Best wishes!

Liz Ness