Tilt shift miniature effect

[Jehu]

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]

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]

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]

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 ;)):

http://www.ashphotography.ca/zenphoto/albums/photoaday07/allthelittlepeopleIMG_0852.jpg

[Jehu]

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

[Brian Ellis]

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 ;)):

http://www.ashphotography.ca/zenphoto/albums/photoaday07/allthelittlepeopleIMG_0852.jpg

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

[Drew Bedo]

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

[Capocheny]

Walter,

That looks like a pic from the U of C?

Cheers

[Jehu]

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

[Andrew O'Neill]

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.

[Mick Noordewier]

I hope we're not just inflating Walter's ego, but I also really like this picture. The selective focus follows the path and walkers, and seems perfectly suited to the subject, light and composition.

Drew's comment has motivated me to try this on my own.

[sienarot]

Walter,

That looks like a pic from the U of C?

Cheers

Yup, that's the U of C all right. What a small world. My office is in the upper right, the Math Science building (though on the otherside).

Here's one I did a while back.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2230/2466186737_597fc88e78_o.jpg

[Ben Syverson]

I think this can be cool on film, but the photoshop version makes my skin crawl.

Fake Tilt-Shift is the new Fake Lens Flare.

[Jehu]

I'm still working on this. I think I got the tilts reversed. The hillside above to the left is in too sharp of focus. I may try this one again.

[Eirik Berger]

I have done a few reverse tilt-images to make it look litke miniatures. It is best to be somewhat elevated, to get the same angle of view as you would of you indeed were photographing a miniature model.

This one is of a part of the cableway-system of the old coal mines in the town where I live.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/114/363921452_cf09a68a85_o.jpg

Toyo GII, 4x5" Provia 100F, Nikkor W 210mm shot at f/8 (I think)

[argos33]

Erik,
That is great, do you have any more you can share? How do you like the Toyo GII?

Evan

[Eirik Berger]

I don´t have other samples available here. All my old negatives/positives is on storage in my hometown. I did not bring it with me when I moved up to Longyearbyen, as I thought I would only stay here for a year or two… :rolleyes:

The Toyo GII is a workhorse. Steady and with excellent focus controls. It is too heavy and unpractical for the field I think, so I also bought a light Toyo 45CF field camera. Now I use the GII indoors and within reasonable distance from my car :)

[Bosaiya]

I did not bring it with me when I moved up to Longyearbyen, as I thought I would only stay here for a year or two… :rolleyes:

I for one would certainly be interested hearing more about that story (in private if no one else cares to hear). I find the place very intriguing.

[GSX4]

Here's one I did this weekend http://www.flickr.com/photos/32065742@N06/3477933435/

Shot with 150mm APO Symmar 1/500th @ f5.6

[oneilvalencia19]

Tilt-shift miniature faking is a process in which a photograph of a life-size location or object is manipulated so that it looks like a photograph of a miniature scale model. By distorting the focus of the photo, the artist simulates the shallow depth of field normally encountered with macro lenses making the scene seem much smaller than it actually is. Many miniature faked photographs are taken from a high angle to further simulate the effect of looking down on a miniature. Objects oriented horizontally, such as the train in the first example, make better subjects for tilt-shift miniature faking than vertically oriented objects.

[Marco Milazzo]

Here's a pretty cool 3-minute movie done with the T&S effect:

http://vimeo.com/3156959

[Daniel Grenier]

Here's a pretty cool 3-minute movie done with the T&S effect:

http://vimeo.com/3156959

This is so freakin cool! Loved it.

[Jehu]

I got my color film back Friday:)

It was nice of that school bus to stop for me right when I got the film loaded:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2365/3529091363_70d36920d0_o.jpg

[Jehu]

With the help of a 7' tripod and a stepstool:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3302/3601492929_8bb7204094_o.jpg