A vignette is an effect that darkens the edges of the frame in your footage. Vignettes can draw the viewer’s eye to a focal point, evoke nostalgia, or offer a dark backdrop over which you can place titles. Premiere Pro offers several tools to create the perfect vignette for any needs.
In this tutorial, you’ll learn multiple methods to create a vignette in Premiere Pro CC. Get the lowdown on how to create one simply using the vignette feature, plus find out how to customize the shape, color, and look of your vignette to best suit your footage. Let’s dive in!
Summary
How to Create a Premiere Pro Vignette Effect
1. Use the Premiere Pro Vignette Feature
The simplest way to create this effect is to use the Vignette feature in the Lumetri Color panel.
- Switch to the Color Workspace by clicking Color in the toolbar.
- Click Vignette in the Lumetri Color panel.
- Adjust the Amount, Midpoint, Roundness, and Feather sliders until you achieve the best results for your footage. Tip: Reduce the Feather slider to zero and then experiment with the other parameters to clearly see the effects of the different sliders.
Keep in mind that this method has the least amount of flexibility. For example, you won’t be able to reposition the vignette if the subject is off-center. But for many situations, the quick-and-easy way will do the trick!
2. Vignette with the Circle Effect
The Circle tool is another simple method for creating a vignette. Use this technique if you are looking to create a circle-shape but want the option to position it off-center.
- Switch to the Effects Workspace by choosing Effects in the toolbar.
- In the Effects panel, search for Circle and drop it to your clip.
- Find the Circle parameters in the Effect Controls panel.
- Change the Blending Mode to Darken.
- Change the Color to black.
- Check Invert Circle.
- Adjust the Radius and Center parameters until the circle frames your subject.
- Increase Feather Outer Edge.
To go further with this method, experiment with choosing different colors and different blend modes.
3. Vignette with Brightness & Contrast and a Mask
This method darkens the image, and you’ll create a mask around your subject where the Brightness & Contrast effect will not apply. While this technique is quick and easy, one limitation is that it does not offer any color customization.
- Switch to the Effects Workspace by choosing Effects in the toolbar.
- Search for Brightness & Contrast, and drop it on your clip.
- In the Effect Controls panel, lower the Brightness.
- In the Effect Controls panel, create an Ellipse Mask under the Brightness & Contrast parameters.
- Adjust the mask Feather, Opacity, and Expansion to achieve the look you want.
- To reposition or change the shape of your mask, drag the handles in the Program Monitor.
4. Vignette with Curves and a Mask
Using Lumetri Color Curves in combination with a mask offers the most flexibility for your edit. For example, you can position your vignette around an off-center subject and adjust the color.
- Switch to the Color Workspace by clicking Color in the toolbar.
- Use RGB Curves in the Lumetri Color panel to darken the image.
- In the Effect Controls panel, create an Ellipse Mask under the Lumetri Color parameters.
- Adjust the mask Feather, Opacity, and Expansion in the Effect Controls panel to achieve the look you want.
- To reposition or change the shape of your mask, drag the handles in the Program Monitor.
- Return to the Lumetri Color Panel to further refine your image. Experiment with the different Curves charts to play with the brightness and hue values in your footage.
5. Download a Premiere Pro Vignette Template
If you’d rather do less work, we’ve got you covered with Premiere Pro Templates — downloadable files you can use as a jumping off point for your project.
For premade vignette effects, try the Epic Slideshow. This template has 12 different placeholders that incorporate different animations, vignettes, and text overlays. Once you’re comfortable navigating templates, you can customize them to work for your project. Even if you only need one or two looks, it’s still a win.
Bonus! Get 10 Free Vignettes from Motion Array
Finally, if you want to completely press the easy button, we’ve created 10 free vignettes for you! The pack includes a variety of vignettes from soft to dramatic and includes before and after examples to get your creativity going. All you have to do is download the pack, import it to Premiere Pro CC, and you’re on your way!
Download 10 Free Vignettes for Premiere Pro
High-five! You now know all of the methods available for creating a vignette in Premiere Pro CC! Depending on the look and the customizations you might want to create, simply choose the best option for your particular video project. Whether that means the basic vignette tool or using curves and a mask, Premiere Pro has you covered.
