Tilt-Shift Photos (Not Miniature Toy Effect)

[Joe Butch]

(wasn't sure where to put this)

Simple question. I'm considering renting a tilt-shift lens for my trip to Japan on Friday. I'm having a hard time finding examples of non "miniature toy" tilt-shift photos. Can anyone give me some examples of good tilt-shift photos that are not the miniature toy effects?

[Elmo]

First let me quote from Lensrental.com:

If you aren’t sure what this is, you don’t want it.

The real usage is for increasing DOF and/or correcting perspective caused by WA lenses. When one uses it in this manner the changes to not appear drastic or unnatural. Learning to use one for its intended purposes is a slow process and requires a lot of patience and practice. I would not recommend one for a vacation as you might be too prone to mess up shots.

[Joe Butch]

Originally Posted by Elmo

First let me quote from Lensrental.com:

If you aren’t sure what this is, you don’t want it.

The real usage is for increasing DOF and/or correcting perspective caused by WA lenses. When one uses it in this manner the changes to not appear drastic or unnatural. Learning to use one for its intended purposes is a slow process and requires a lot of patience and practice. I would not recommend one for a vacation as you might be too prone to mess up shots.

Thanks. I actually came to the same conclusion a few minutes ago. I think what I actually want is a lensbaby.

[daft_biker]

Originally Posted by Joe Butch

Can anyone give me some examples of good tilt-shift photos that are not the miniature toy effects?

WARNING! - This is not an effect!



Sorry, couldn't resist

They can sort of do the lensbaby thing too but it's more of a sweet-slice than a sweet-spot:

[inkista]

Tilt-shift usage with my cheap Russian tilt-shift lens (Hartblei MC 80mm f/2.8 super-rotator):

Extending DoF w/macro (on tripod, extension tubes, with same exposure settings for both shots, first with no movements, second with 4° tilt down):





And one more to show it's not simply about extending/contracting the DoF, it's about changing the shape of your DoF...

Top: 8° swing to the left (closer to the plane of the branch).
Bottom: no movement

Note, though, that flower in the center front is in the DoF without the swing, but is outside it with the swing.



Here, I was using swing, not tilt (i.e., the motion of the lens was to swivel around a vertical axis in the center of the frame, rather than a horrizontal one across it). Note how certain bits that were in focus in one frame are now out of focus in the second.

Of all the techniques I've ever had to learn with my lenses, tilt to extend DoF is by far the hardest I've ever tried to suss out. Doing the toy-model effect, by comparison, is a piece of cake.

[inkista]

Because I have an 80mm lens, I don't use shift very often for perspective correction, although that's the classic use for it. But to demo how it can be used for simple POV changes:

I'm short. Sometimes I use rise to add a few inches to my height. For both the following pictures, I'm standing in the same spot, and holding the camera the same way. No cropping on either frame.


tilt up 8°, no shift.


swing left 8°, 12mm rise (shift upwards).

Shift can be used for some mirror shots to get yourself and your camera out of the shot, but still have the reflection in it.

[daft_biker]

Originally Posted by inkista

Shift can be used for some mirror shots to get yourself and your camera out of the shot, but still have the reflection in it.

Not exactly a mirror.....

[Raoul Isidro]

Originally Posted by Joe Butch

Thanks. I think what I actually want is a lensbaby.

Lensbaby is a whole new edgy world.
I use it a lot in fashion magazines and fashion catalouges.

(I would recommend bringing an additional normal lens for travel and touring... I wouldn't want my whole holiday photos to be blurred, tilted and shifted)

[Biomech]

Not exactly a mirror.....

I spy you in the nutt ;P