I love what can be achieved using a tilt-shift lens, but not many of us can afford one.
Here is how you can achieve a VERY similar look using Photoshop.
After you open your image...
Create a new layer that is a copy of the image.
Then, on the background copy layer, click on the add layer mask button in the layers palette (the one that is a rectangle with a circle in the middle at the bottom of the palette).
Next, get the gradient tool. Click on radial gradient in your gradient options.
Make sure you are still in the background copy layer and that the mask box is called out. Click on the center point of the area you want to keep in focus and drag out as far as you want the focal point to go. If your gradient selection went from white to black, your mask box will show a white circle. If your gradient went from black to white, your mask box will show a black circle. It is important to be aware of this for the next step.
Now, click on the image box of new layer, taking you off of the mask box.
Go to filter – blur – lens blur.
In the lens blur dialog box, make adjustments until you get the affect you want.
In the depth map section, make sure the Layer mask is called out in the source drop down box. If you had a black circle in your mask box, click the box next to invert.
Click ok when you have the results you want.
If your image needs some fine tuning, select the paintbrush tool. Set the foreground color to black if you want to make a portion of your image in focus again, or white if you want to blur more.
Also, you can adjust the opacity of your brush to vary the amount of the effect and make it look more authentic.
Flatten image (in the layers drop down list) and save.
Blog:
http://lovemy3ms.blogspot.com/
Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/27640179@N07/