Create a vignette effect to make a photo more powerful

A vignette effect on a photo typically places a dark, semi-transparent border around it. There are other possible variations, such as a light border, but dark is more common. Designers use this effect to make the center of the image stand out. Here you see a photo with and without a vignette.

Can you see how the vignette effect intensifies the center of the photo and therefore makes the man’s dismay feel more powerful?

You can create a vignette effect in a few ways in PowerPoint but here is an easy technique.

1. Insert a rectangle over the image.
2. Right-click and choose Format Shape.
3. In the dialog box or task pane (depending on your version of PowerPoint), in the Line section, choose No Line.
4. In the Fill section, change the color to black or dark gray. I used a very dark gray.
5. Still in the Fill section, choose Gradient Fill.
6. From the Type drop-down, choose Rectangular.
7. From the Direction drop-down, choose From Center.
8. Set the gradient to have 2 stops. They should both be set to the same dark gray.
9. Click or choose the 1st (left) stop. Set its position to 80 and its transparency to 100. This means that the center of the photo will not be covered at all.
10. Click or choose the 2nd stop. Set its position to 100 and its transparency to 50%. This will place a shadow over the edges of the photo.

You can see the settings on the right. Of course you can modify them to suit your taste and needs.

For another vignette method, see Nolan Haims’ guest blog post on Geetesh Bajaj’s website here.

Do you have a different vignette technique? Can you think of another use for vignettes in PowerPoint? Share it with a comment!

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