Filters and Effects

gavkearney

Hi, was just wondering if anybody can tell me how to create the effect where you take a photo and it gets darker towards the edges of the shot.

I know I'm explaining this terribly, but you can see the effect I'm talking about on Top Gear all the time. They use it alot, for video, obviously. You can see it, for example, where they would have the camera low to the ground on the runway as a car is going past. The brightest part of the shot is the centre, and then it gets gradually darker as you work out.

I just want to know how this effect is created - with a lens or filter? And what is it called?

Thanks.

nilhg

I think you mean vignetting, usually done in post processing, but can happen when using certain lenses.

Fajitas!

Can be done with the Vignetting tool in post Raw editing programs, or the Lens Distortion tool in Photoshop CS... or done manually with the burn tool

gavkearney

Thanks a million guys, exactly what i was looking for.

5uspect

Isn't it just a linear gradient? I remember once Clarkson showed one of the graduated filters they use as part of a gag about boy racers or something.

http://www.great-landscape-photography.com/graduated-filters.html

magicbastarder

it's gas the way photographers tried to avoid vignetting for years, now it's the greatest thing since sliced bread.

Eirebear

Top gear....by the looks of things they use about a 1001 filters on their cameras...and add a few more in proccessing...its a wonder we can see the car (or clarksons loveley stone washed jeans!) at all!

Fajitas!

Tbh, I think Top Gear has some of the best videographers in a long long time...

gavkearney

All very true, I doubt there's a single scene in each episode where there's not some filter or other applied, but there's no denying the videography is fantastic

Eirebear

Fajitas! wrote: »

Tbh, I think Top Gear has some of the best videographers in a long long time...

Im not slagging it mate, i think its an extremely well put together show.
I have no interest in cars whatsoever...yet still watch it faithfullly

ThOnda

The same here. I can't wait to see another part just to see what angles, ideas and environments they are going to use.
I think they used no filters when they tested Micra. That looked awful - blank white sky, too dark car... Like car-tv shows back home :-/

And the vignetting - burn tool, because I still can't master gradients :-(

5uspect

gradients ftw!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeXr50LNJfM
they show the film crews filter box about a minute and 30 seconds in