By John Cobb

8 October 2008

This post-processing technique has been around for a while (type "tilt shift" in flickr). You can get lens baby lenses (link below) or others that costs thousands (link below). Or you can follow a post technique. I'm only writing this how to because to my surprise, one did not exist on JPG - how sad.

Here are my first test shots. They are not necessarily my best, but represent the wide range of photos you can use this technique for. Once you get the hang of it they do not take that long to create and play around with. I was most surprised how the picture turned out above the clouds. I didn't think there was enough texture or detail, but it turned out great.

Now, you can do this in Photoshop CS. Those tutorials are here: http://tinyurl.com/s88kw and here: http://tinyurl.com/4esacy.

But, as stated, I said you could do this for free. If you don't know, there is an excellent program for those who don't have or need, or can't afford PS called "Gimp". You can download it completely free here: http://www.gimp.org. Then, follow the easy tutorials here: http://tinyurl.com/4jggfv and here: http://tinyurl.com/3o34w3.

Now, go have fun, assume you can do this with any photo, and who knows, maybe JPG will open up a theme!

Ask questions in comments. I'll use it to update the this "tutorial". Sorry this is just a bunch of links, but others have spent time explaining the process - plus they have comments. If it needs to be more instructive, let me know.

Also see:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tilt-shift_photography

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tilt-shift_miniature_faking

Here is how I was first aware of this technique. I was dumbfounded how this photographer took these photos at the olympics. Here are the samples that floored me:

http://tinyurl.com/4x6jkk

http://tinyurl.com/4ajef7

Here are some other good samples from flickr. Follow the comments and you can learn a few things: http://www.flickr.com/photos/girlzone41/123719583/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dontknow/402032375/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/verymodest/348448499/

Lens Baby: http://lensbaby.com/

Canon Tilt Shift Lens: http://tinyurl.com/4zhqs8

Have fun. Again, if you think this needs more detail, let me know.

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