Since I am new to blogging I would like to make a relatively easy tutorial for you on fake tilt-shift photography.
Tilt-shift is the name given to the art of making big things look small. Originally this was done using specially modified tilt-shift camera lenses but these days most people use photoshop to achieve the same effect. The basic idea is that more of the image is out of focus which tricks your eyes in to thinking it is on a smaller scale.
Step 1
First we need a picture that looks like it is taken from above like this picture of a crane below. Open this image in the Gimp or Photoshop. I am using the Gimp because it is free and I don’t have Photoshop. Yet.
Step 2
Now we must duplicate the ‘Background’ layer and change the name to ‘Blur Layer’ (for easier referencing) Apply a Gaussian blur to the ‘blur layer’ with a radius of about 40.
Step 3
Now right click on the ‘Blur Layer’ and select add layer mask then click add in the dialog box that should come up. Choose the gradient tool and make a black to white gradient going upwards around the middle of the photo. The positioning of the gradient will vary depending on which photo you are using but in the end you just want to position it so that everything above the main subject (in this case the crane) is blurred.
Step 4
Repeat steps 2 and 3 but this time instead of making the gradient above the subject, put it beneath the subject going from black above to white below. The only thing remaining not blurred should be the subject of the photo.
Step 5
Because the crane in this image extends into the blurred section, we need to again duplicate the first layer and add a layer mask. Make sure the mask is filled with black and then with a white brush colour in the crane so it becomes sharp but leaves the rest of the image blurred.
Step 6
Now all that remains is to increase the saturation until the photo looks like a painted model. To do this you may first have to flatten the image or select ‘copy visible’ in the edit menu and paste as a new layer so you only need to work with one layer.Now you should have your final miniaturised model!
If you are experiencing any difficulties or need me to clear anything up just leave a comment below and I will get back to you. Please also comment on whether or not you think that this was worthwhile.
Thanks, Jacob.
Here is my first Tilt-Shift picture:
