Using camera movements to change appearance of scale

[stradibarrius]

In photographs where real objects are made to look almost like toys, is that done with camera movements?
If so any suggestions on how to start?

[Brian Legge]

In 35mm, its often done with a 'tilt shift' or 'perspective control' lens. These lenses are basically giving 35mm cameras a limited range of movements. Obviously large format cameras can go much further. The movement you're looking for is 'tilt'.

So yes, you're on the right track.

[vinny]

Look up tilt/shift miniatures on flickr.

[Brian C. Miller]

The other option is to use a lens like the Kodak Aero Ektar, which is utterly massive, and shoot wide open. Someone else on the forum used the lens from an old projection TV, and made the lens board (and support) out of plywood.

[stradibarrius]

Thanks Vinny. I wasn't even sure what terminology to use. Most everything I found was all digital but I found a thread here on our forum http://www.largeformatphotography.in...ad.php?t=46717
Is it just a matter of tilting and swinging until wysiwyg or is there some method as a place to start?

[Sirius Glass]

What you are looking for is http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scheimpflug_principle

The Scheimpflug principle is found in most beginning LF books.

Steve

[Jack Dahlgren]

What you are looking for is http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scheimpflug_principle

The Scheimpflug principle is found in most beginning LF books.

Steve

Correct, but the making of those miniature-looking shots is using that principle to minimize the intersection of the image plane with the subject plane. Or more precisely, to select an image plane which renders most of the image out of focus.

As an example if you are standing on a flat surface and have the camera pointed horizontally, tilting the top of the lens forward would result in having the surface you are standing on be entirely in focus. Tilting the lens backwards would cause just a small strip of that surface to be in focus. For most of this miniature work, you will be tilting the top of the lens back towards you, or swinging it away from the subject (or both)

[ROL]

FYI, that effect is de rigueur for digital cameras of all stripe, a recently upgraded function of my LX5, that simply blur the top and bottom portions of the frame, without tilt–shift.