Ring-necked Duck... Which Vignette Do You Prefer?

[jprzybyla]

This morning looking at Paul's image of a Yellow-rumped Warbler with a lighter post crop vignette the image background made me wonder why is a darker vignette used almost exclusively. So I applied both to this image. I cannot decide which I prefer, so I ask the members which do you prefer and why?

#1



#2

[Bobobird]

I prefer #2 because my eyes do not wander to the lighter edges of the frame in #1.

[Aforns]

Can't imagine using the lighter for the reason given by Bobo. Best to draw your eye toward the center of frame, does not have to be a strong effect for most situations, just a subtle change.

[Aforns]

..... btw forgot to mention those ducks have strange looking eyes and usually come out funky, I like darkening the pupil just a bit since it will show the sharpness. Excellent image !!

[jprzybyla]

I prefer #2 because my eyes do not wander to the lighter edges of the frame in #1.

Thanks Bobo, looking at the images I agree. The lighter vignette does draw the eyes away.

[jprzybyla]

..... btw forgot to mention those ducks have strange looking eyes and usually come out funky, I like darkening the pupil just a bit since it will show the sharpness. Excellent image !!

Hi Alfred, I agree with you and Bobo. Thanks for the tip on the eye, it did look funky but I was not sure why. I opened the original and darkened it with the adjustment brush.

[Geoff F]

Yes, #1 doesn't look natural to me.

You just about get away with it at the top but the effect is too strong near the bottom edge.

[Otavio]

Hi Joe. Just put me as one more adding to Bobo's vote (#2) and why (my eyes do not wander to the lighter edges of the frame in #1).

Btw, very nice image!

[davidedric]

OK one vote for #1. I think because the main part of the duck is dark, my eye moves from light to dark and does not wander outwards.

[pnodrog]

#2 The only time I like lightening up the edges is with flowers, portraits or high key etc and it progresses to a complete fade. Just about all other times I prefer the vignetting to be darker.

[jeeperman]

Joe, I think the second works best for the same reasons as stated above. I very rarely use a white vignetter, however I am experimenting with certain uses. In the image this morning.... Yellow Rump Warbler and a Red wing, it was a bit dark out and the bright clouds behind the Warbler forced me to over expose slightly the background to get the detail in the bird. Having almost white for a background I thought I could take that further and leave only the bird and brach visible, somewhat like drawings I have seen where the branch never reaches the edges of the paper.

I have only one other image, also taken recently where I used a white vignette. It was different circumstances and did not work as well as this mornings image.