A simple eye-catching vignette can often transform a good photograph into a great one by accentuating the main subject or object within the frame, whether you’re capturing landscapes, wildlife images, or environmental portraits. Today’s comprehensive guide from Eastern Shore Photo Instruction walks you through a simple step-by-step process for getting the job done with precision.

Simply put, a vignette is nothing more that a gradual darkening (or lightening) that creates a fade to the center of an image that can be easily introduced during post-processing to add a subtle artistic flare and guide the viewer’s eyes through the scene.

Our soft-spoken instructor Mickey describes his foolproof technique like this: “By using Lightroom’s post-crop vignette tool in combination with a radial or linear gradient you can creatively add contrast to an image and introduce a light pathway that’s easy to follow. He demonstrates how to make vignettes even more compelling by adding additional features like spotlights or intersecting masks.

Mickey says he takes advantage of this effect for enhancing almost ever image he edits, and he explains why he prefers natural-looking vignettes rather than “hammering in home” with an overwhelming heavy-handed approach that just doesn’t appear realistic.

He begins with a basic, practical use of Lightroom’s post-crop vignetting tool that can often produce effective results but does have a few limitations as compared to more advanced methods. When pulling up this panel you’ll notice three simple Style options: Highlight, Color, and Paint Overlay.

Once you master these simple enhancements (and it doesn’t take long) you’ll be prepared to tackle sophisticated techniques that provide far more control. Mickey provides three demonstrations that will take your effects to the next level. One possibility is the use of radial gradient vignetting, another is what he calls “reflective gradient vignettes,” and  the third involves combining a radial gradient vignette with an intersecting linear gradient.

The lesson concludes with a striking example of employing the radial gradient vignette at Blue Hour for beautiful shadow enhancement. There’s much more you can learn about a variety of photographic techniques by visiting the Eastern Shore Photo Instruction YouTube channel.

And be sure you don’t miss our earlier tutorial with another post-processing specialist who demonstrates how to use Lightroom’s powerful Point Color tool to gain full control of the colors in your nature, landscape and travel photographs.

We are excited to reveal the winners of the GuruShots’ Macro Wonders photo challenge, where incredible detail and hidden beauty come to life through the lens. These talented photographers have masterfully captured the tiny worlds often overlooked, unveiling nature’s intricate textures, colors, and forms in stunning close-up shots. Join us in celebrating their exceptional work that invites us to see the extraordinary in the ordinary.

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Are you finally ready to give astrophotography a try and capture some spectacular  images of the sparkling nighttime sky? Whether you’re new to the game or just looking for few quick tricks, this beginners guide will prepare you for challenge.

Instructor Mallory Davis is an expert whose YouTube channel offers insightful shooting advice for inexperienced travel and adventure photographers, along with personal recommendations for epic destinations to visit.

Here’s how she introduces today’s straightforward eight-minute primer: “In this video I share the gear, camera settings, and helpful tips and tricks I use to make astrophotography outings a breeze.” Best yet, it’s likely that you already own the equipment needed to get started, and there’s a list of Mallory’s preferred cameras, lenses, and accessories in the description beneath the video.

So eactly what gear is required? First you need a DSLR or mirrorless camera that enables you to shoot in Manual, and it’s necessary to understand the basics of using this essential exposure setting. A sturdy tripod is also a must because “the name of the game is keeping your camera as steady as possible as possible during the slow shutter speeds you’ll employ.”

Lens choice is simple: You want to pull a wide-angle out of you bag, and Mallory says the wider it is the better. The best option is a fast lens that offers a maximum aperture of f/2.8 or faster. Mallory notes that a slower kit lens will suffice if that’s all you have, as long as you follow her advice.

You’ll be out in the field after dark, so a small headlamp can be super helpful for safely navigating the terrain, digging through your bag, and reading camera and lens controls. Mallory also recommends using an affordable remote shutter that will further protect against camera movement at the moment of capture.

As the lesson proceeds Mallory provides a detailed description of all the appropriate settings, and she explains when and how to employ them for maximum effect. Then there are those aforementioned shooting tips and techniques that will help you create images that are a sparkling success.

Mallory’s instructional YouTube channel is a great source of information for photographers who want to expand their repertoire and skills.

We also recommend watching a recent tutorial we featured with another travel photography pro who explains the artistic concept of “bokeh” and demonstrates how to capture spellbinding outdoor photographs with perfect out-of-focus backgrounds.