Apr 24 2009
TiltShift Photography
Like so many new fun photography toys, I found out about TiltShift tool through Flickr… and it sent me on a search to learn more about this photography technique. I learned about this new *free* tool that you can use to play with your digital photographs.
This specific TiltShift Maker uses “miniature faking”… from wikipedia:
Miniature faking is a post-processing technique, which involves selectively blurring a photo to simulate the narrow depth of field found in macro photography and some tilt-shift photography, making the image appear to be of a miniature model.
So, I was dying to try it! I looked through my 5000+ photos on Flickr and identified a few that would utilize the technique best… here are my results!
[from this original photo] I took this photo last summer – children playing in a public fountain in the city. I love the way the TiltShift Maker brings out the colors and also adds that steamy haze effect on the ground – just like a hot summer day!
[original photo] – Central Park, New York – Horse Race! I took this last spring (a year ago tomorrow, actually) and I love the way the horses look with the TiltShift.
More TiltShifts from my photographs:
original photo – Embarcadero, San Francisco, 2008
original photo – Capoeira, 2008
original photo – Lima, Peru 2007
As you can see, it is a great way to *punch* up some of your photos with colors and the small focus. There is a small guide to choosing the best type of photos to tilt shift on the website.
If you decide to play with this tool, let me know! You can drop me a line, or link back to this post (my blog software will et me know that you linked to me!) and I can come over and see 
ETA: Okay, I am so addicted… I made more!
I was introduced to tilt shift by watching this video. It is absolutely amazing!
http://vimeo.com/3156959?pg=embed&sec=
Thanks for the link for the “fake”. I’m going to have to try it.
AWESOME! I most definitely will be trying out this technique.
Christy: many thanks for sharing this amazing video!
I am SO inspired and impressed with your photography skills! You are very talented. I will privately message you with one of my latest video creations. Also, check your new (Summer ’09) issue of Interweave — my essay appears on the last page.
these are so fun. you are a talented photographer!
I’ll have to give it a try – looks like a lot of fun. Since getting my new camera last fall I haven’t done too much with all the options & possibilities – although I did get the remote & was able to get an “ok” family picture when I was home for Easter.
I absolutely LOVE the first one! I’m going to have to check out that video!
Mini Sergei Gonchar! Love it!
I love the photo of the children and the very last one.
I haven’t found any good photos of mine to use this with.
So cool! That first one especially really looks like a miniature. Does the program punch up the colors, too, or did you do that beforehand? You really take some amazing photographs!
My daughter is taking a photography class right now in high school. I will definitely have to show her this post. Thanks!!
The first picture really does look like a miniature scene. I’ll have to try this out!
I’m going to try this – someday…
Oh, that last one is my favorite. The depth of field is great.
wow. that is fun! it really makes the fotos pop!
so glad you added the last photo with the peddicabs it turned out to be my favorite! they are all very cool!
Love it! Thanks for sharing; I’ve been trying to figure out how to do this….
I love all the tiltshift photos that have been popping up on flickr! Yours are very cool!