How to Do Shift Photography With GIMP

You can use GIMP to re-create a tilt-shift look within a photo.

"Tilt-shift" is a popular style of photography which makes a photograph of an actual life-size scene appear as though it is a miniature, play-model version. Photographers hold their cameras at a special angle to blur out the background and create the effect, but you can also use the graphic design program GIMP to re-create the look digitally. Once you have an image to work with you're ready to use the free editor to achieve your desired results.

Instructions

1. Launch GIMP, and open the image you want to miniaturize its appearance by clicking on "File" and "Open." Your photograph will appear as the background in its own GIMP workbook ready for you to begin editing.

2. Make a copy of the image by clicking on the "Layer" tab and selecting "Duplicate Layer." This will insert an exact replica of your image as its own layer, meaning effects you apply to the image will only affect this replica and not the background image itself. Make sure the duplicate layer has a transparency channel by clicking on "Layer," "Transparency" and "Add Alpha Channel."

3. Select the "Filters" tab, and click on "Blur," then "Gaussian Blur." A pop-up dialog will appear letting you preview the blurred effect. Adjust both the horizontal and vertical radius settings until satisfied, and click on "OK."

4. Click on the "Eraser Tool" located in the main toolbox. Select the "Brush" type of "Circle Fuzzy," and use the "Scale" scrollbar to adjust the size of your brush. Double-click your cursor within the center of the workbook, and use circular motions to erase the blurred effect from the center of your photo.

5. Save your shift-photography effect by clicking on "File," and "Save as."

Tips & Warnings

• As desired, you can use the "Perspective Tool" located in the main toolbox to adjust the angle of your initial background. Click on the icon, then click within the workbook to launch the Transformation Matrix. Double-click and drag the corners of your image to create the perspective shift you want, and click on "Transform."

• The "Perspective Tool" can help you create a tilt-shift effect, but it will change the perimeter of your photo from a rectangle to an irregular-shaped figure. You can use the "Crop Tool" to eliminate the angled borders and re-establish a rectangular-looking photo.

References

• Tilt Shiftable: Tilt Shift with GIMP
• GIMP: Gaussian Blur
• GIMP: Perspective Tool

Resources

• GIMP