Tilt shift miniature effect

**Jehu** · 10-Mar-2009, 08:59

I want to try the tilt-shift miniature effect. I've done it with Photoshop but I want to try the real thing with my 4X5. Has anyone had any success on this?

Most of the successful shots that I've seen are from an elevated position. What's the best tilt method?

I have some VS100 slide film. I assume that would work well.

What aperture should I start with?

I have a 90mm, a 135mm & and a 210mm available.

Any help would be appreciated.

**vinny** · 10-Mar-2009, 10:21

The shortest lens I've done it with is a 210mm. I usually shoot wide open or a stop or two down from that. The attached shot is with a 450mm nikkor at f11 or 16. I used front swing and tilt, rear swing in the opposite direction and rear tilt back. I'm certainly no expert.

**walter23** · 10-Mar-2009, 14:19

A mid to long lens, an elevated position, and tilts & swings to get it looking "right".

What more can I say?

Long lens reduces perspective convergence (typical of macro / closeup views), elevation is typical when you're looking at a small scene (e.g. an architectural model) from above, and tilts & swings are pretty much to taste. The point is to reduce the apparent DOF (mimicking high magnification).

**walter23** · 10-Mar-2009, 14:22

I only tried it once (or rather, out of the times I've tried it, this is the only time I put a film holder in

):

**Jehu** · 10-Mar-2009, 14:30

That's what I was looking for. Thanks guys!

**Brian Ellis** · 11-Mar-2009, 07:06

Originally Posted by walter23

I only tried it once (or rather, out of the times I've tried it, this is the only time I put a film holder in

):

Nice photograph Walter. I almost always think these kinds of photographs look contrived but yours works very well.

**Drew Bedo** · 14-Mar-2009, 18:07

Its an interesting excercise in the use of movements to selectivly control the zone of focus...but, what is thepoint?

**Capocheny** · 15-Mar-2009, 11:14

Walter,

That looks like a pic from the U of C?

Cheers

**Jehu** · 17-Mar-2009, 16:54

I'm starting to have some success in tilt-shift miniature. Now I need to rethink my developing process

**Andrew O'Neill** · 17-Mar-2009, 20:16

Walter, that really looks like a photograph of a model. Isn't it cool what a little tilting and swinging can do to an image?? It really does make the subject look like a scaled down model or a toy.