A very controllable vignette effect

[photoken]

Suppose that you want to create a vignette effect to separate a subject from the background:

lights original.png

Here's a way to leverage two of PL's functions to do that very efficiently and with great control and flexibility.

1. Create a lasso (mask) around the subject. In this example, I simply used the Quick Selection tool.
2. Invert the mask so that the subsequent Lights effect will only be applied to the background.
3. Convert the image to a placeholder.
4. Apply the Effects...Effect Filters...Lights to the image.

Because you're using an placeholder image, the Lights effect is applied as an adjustment layer. This allows you to change the settings of the Lights effect at any later time to vary the effect.

For example, you can create a light "halo" effect:

lights light vignette.jpg

or a dark "halo" effect:

lights dark vignette.jpg

There are plenty of other options in the Lights effect for you to explore and experiment with, too!

Enjoy!