A vignette photo allows a portion of an image to be screened or ghosted down to a lower opacity while allowing the dominant or most important part of the picture to remain at full color and brightness. It is an interesting effect that focuses the reader’s attention on one portion of the image. The technique can also be used to screen down a portion of a photo so that type can be more easily read. To download a handout demonstrating the technique, click here.

Method 1

While Adobe Photoshop® is the primary software for photo manipulation, InDesign does allow for some cool photo techniques like a vignette photo. A vignette is an effect where the center of interest, or focal point, of the photo gradually fades into the background, usually in an oval shape.

STEP 1: Place (File > Place) an image from Photoshop or through Herff Jones Image In (Herff Jones > HJ Image In) onto your layout.

STEP 2: Select the Ellipse Frame tool from beneath the Rectangle Frame tool on the Tool palette. You can also use a rectangle, circle, polygon, star or any other frame shape to create the vignette effect.

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