Vignetting
The darkening of image periphery relative to the center. Occurs naturally due to lens optical properties, or applied intentionally as an artistic effect to draw attention toward the subject.
Vignetting is the darkening of image corners and edges relative to the center. From the French "vigne" (grapevine), it occurs as an optical artifact or as a deliberate artistic choice.
Vignetting is classified by mechanism. Some types become more pronounced at wider apertures.
- Natural vignetting (cosine fourth law): Illumination falls off as
cos⁴θwith angle from the optical axis. Wide-angle lenses are more affected - Mechanical vignetting: Physical obstruction of oblique rays by lens barrel or filter rings. Stopping down reduces this
- Pixel vignetting: Digital sensor phenomenon where microlens directionality reduces peripheral pixel sensitivity. Pronounced with non-telecentric designs
- Artistic vignetting: Intentional peripheral darkening added in post-processing
RAW software can apply automatic correction using lens profiles. Vignetting is also added to evoke film-era aesthetics.