This month we're looking at tilt-shift photography, the primary effect of which is to allow the plane of sharp focus to be moved in any direction. It can be useful for focussing on subjects at different distances from the camera, and also produces interesting effects. Recently Instagram's tilt/shift blur filter has made the effect very popular, alongside a vogue for what is called 'miniature faking'. This is where a tilt/shift effect is applied using software to create a narrow depth of field on a scene that is actually a long way from the camera. This would normally only be possible with a subject much closer to the camera, so the brain is tricked into thinking it is looking at a model of the scene, not the real thing. The results can be very convincing! We're not saying exactly the tilt-shift effect that must be submitted to this assignment. Let's see the full range of possibilities for this technique that has a foot in both the earliest days and most modern age of photography.
This technique has been around since the earliest days of photography when the design of cameras using flexible bellows allowed the lens to move and be angled almost totally independently of the film. On most modern cameras the lens and chip (or film) are fixed in relation to each other, but tilt/shift can be achieved using either a special tilt/shift lens, or more likely nowadays using software, such as the tilt/shift blur tool in Photoshop. If you're looking to create a 'miniature faking' effect start with an overhead shot with simple but interesting details (people, buildings, trees, cars). This overhead view adds to the sense that you're looking down at a model village, so choose a good vantage point. Then have fun playing with the blur filters to see what effect works best for that scene. It usually works well to decide on a central point of interest and ensure that remains sharp. And of course make sure you start with bright and pin-sharp images, so that the area remaining in focus contrasts as much as possible with the blur that you have added.
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