My attempts at tilt-shift

[gnownad]

The first time I was tilt-shift photos which make normal objects look like mini models, my mind was blown.

It was summer last year, and I neither had an SLR or a tilt shift lens! However I still wanted to try and make some photos with this effect, so I had a go with a fairly mediocre photo I took during a concert at the Royal Albert Hall. First, I'll show you the before/after shots.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

First thing I did was touch up the colour a little. Miniature tilt-shift photos work best when colours are quite saturated, as this gives the subjects a bit of a more toy-like appearance.

Secondly, I entered quick mask mode (Q if you're on Photoshop), and used the reflected gradient tool to radiate outwards a little. Remember that the way this tool works is you draw a line perpendicular to the line you want the gradient in, and it's most concentrated from where you start, and finishes where you lift your mouse/pen! You want to have the gradient concentrated around your subjects to achieve the effect.

Thirdly, exit quick mask mode, then apply a Gaussian Blur. The amount you require for each image will be different, but as a general rule try to stick to a radius of about 20-30! This will blur the rest of the picture, and this is the basic means by which tilt-shift photos of this nature work. I then cropped it a little, et voila! Finished! If you want to try this yourself, try playing around with the placement of the gradient, as sometimes you might catch a bit which you don't want in focus!

This isn't a very hard thing to do, and not very time consuming either, so I thought "what else can I use this technique for?". Well, earlier I had taken a rather bland photo, and it was sitting there on my computer, waiting to be deleted. Then I had the flash of genius to try something funky with it; to see if I could turn it into an interesting photo! It's based on the same principles as the NYO tilt-shift.

BEFORE:


AFTER:


If you want to know the specifics of how I achieved this one, ask in the comments below and I'll add to this! I think I've rambled on a bit already, so I've leave you to comment!

Anyway, I hope that I've given some people some new ideas for their PP! I've had fun writing this myself, and if you feel I've left anything out or could improve on some bits, feel free to say so!

Ooo, also if anyone wants to see more of my tilt-shift mockups, let me know, I'll post them too!

[MrBeta]

You've intrigued me to try some myself. I never thought of trying tilt-shift in post.

[NathanCH]

The first one is pretty cool. Nice shot first of all, how is the proms? Tilt-shift is fun

One thing I would try is using "Lens blur" instead of Gaussian blur.

[gnownad]

Thanks for the comments!

Originally Posted by NathanCH

The first one is pretty cool. Nice shot first of all, how is the proms? Tilt-shift is fun

One thing I would try is using "Lens blur" instead of Gaussian blur.

@NathanCH, the Proms are great! They're one of the best things about Summer in London! My brother was playing in that orchestra, which was quite cool too

I find that Gaussian gives better results generally instead of Lens blur, but then again I suppose it depends on the amount of other detail you're blurring out! Obviously, too much Gaussian and it's going to look extremely iffy, but then I find lens blur doesn't quite give you that great of an out of focus feel- with this shot anyway! But yeah- playing around with different types of blurring is definitely one of the funner parts of photoshopping!

This has nothing to do with your post, but i thought your screen name was "Gonad" at first

[joodiespost]

fine job on the first set!, i think tilt shift work better in color

[gnownad]

The second one isn't meant to be a tilt-shift effect, I was using the technique used to create the first one to do something inventive with a boring photo!

[ihsankhairir]

Wonderful, I'm definitely gonna try this someday!

[Erica.P]

That is a relly cool technique. I assume it can be done in GIMP too? I really need to work on my post software skills.

Erica

[brittaniphotography]

They came out great! I think my favorite is the second one, although, to be honest, I'm not sure exactly what tilt shift photography is. The second pictures in each make them look like toys, like Mr. Rogers Neighborhood. Is that the point?? Bc they look gorgeous.