Today, we look at a Photoshop effect that can transform even the most massive, sprawling landscapes into the apparent size of a child’s play pen. The effect is known on the Internet as “tilt-shift photography,” but a more accurate name might be “Miniaturization Photography,” since you’re not actually using tilt-shift equipment here. You’re simply changing the photo’s area of focus to trick the eye into thinking the objects in the shot are much, much smaller than they actually are.
The trick can be used to transform otherwise ordinary outdoor scenes into something that will make viewers scratch their heads in wonder, and can transform familiar, popular scenes into something totally new. Here’s how to create tilt-shift (or miniaturization) photography in Photoshop.
By the end, we’ll take this photo:
And turn it into this:
Step 1: Finding the Right Photo
This is by far the most important step of the process. The first thing you want to look for is a photo with a large depth of field because, in the editing process you’ll basically be blurring out a large portion of the photo that’s currently in focus. So choose a photo where a large majority of the frame is in focus.
The second consideration, also important, is the subject matter in the shot. Landscapes with a tall, protruding structure work best, although you can find photos on a smaller scale too. Landscapes are often the go-to because it’s more shocking to the eye to miniaturize them. Shrinking something already small sort of softens the blow. Finally, an overhead shot is also ideal to create the impression that the viewer is looking down on a very small scene.
For this tutorial, we’ll use the photo shown above of an Elsing Manor in Norfolk (Photo by John Fielding on Flickr).
Notice how the entire frame is in focus, but there’s a center of action that we can focus the shot on. Notice how the large majority of the frame is in focus, and that the content of the frame is how we want it: An overhead shot with a large depth of field.
Step 2: Import the photo and enter Quick Mask mode (Q)
This will allow us to select our area to focus. We want clarity around the shot’s standout feature or center of the action, then for the clarity to quickly drop off into dense blur.
Step 3: Select Focus Area with Reflected Gradient Tool (G)
With the Reflected Gradient Tool, you’ll draw a vertical line (Hold Shift while drawing the line to keep it perfectly straight). The start of the line marks the center of the focus area, with the end of the line marking the point where the focus drops off. The longer the line, the larger the focus area.
Step 4: Evaluate Focus Area
After you draw your line, your selected area will be displayed in red. Make sure the entire action you want clear is covered in the deep red sections. This will likely take a couple of tries on your first go around.
Step 5: Exit Quick Mask (Q)
Now, your area of focus will be contained between the selection lines. This is another chance to double-check your focus area before continuing.
Step 6: Blur, baby, Blur!
Now it’s time to blur the picture. Select Filter >> Blur >> Lens Blur. This will open a preview page where you can see the pending final product. The initial preview should be pretty close to how you want it, but you can tweak the blur strength and other settings here if you prefer.
Click OK when the preview looks how you want it, then Control + D to remove the selection lines.
Step 7 (Optional): Boost Saturation and Contrast
Many tilt-shifted images will benefit from a healthy dose of saturation (Control + U) and contrast (Control + M) to complete the toy-like miniaturization effect. This photo has +50 saturation, but much more subtle contrast increase (shown in the Curves box above).
Step 8: Revel in the Miniature Glory!
You’re done! Save, Export and Share. If you post on social media, tag @Adorama so we can see your work.
Any questions? Comment below or email the author at jhuttonmarshall@gmail.com.
