How to Tilt Shift in Photoshop

Tilt-shift focus produces images that look like models.

Photos that are blurred in both foreground and background give the impression of being taken as macro images of small model layouts. People appear to be tiny painted figures. Tilt-shift lenses are available, at considerable cost, to create these images with a defined and narrow area of focus. Photoshop is used to create a very similar picture with no extra cost or complexity.

Instructions

1. Open an image in Photoshop such as a busy street scene with plenty of detail. For best effect, choose a photo taken from a taller building to get an elevated view. Drag the Background Layer to the New Layer button to create a copy.

2. Select "Quick Mask" by clicking on the bottom icon (circle inside square) on the toolbox. Select "Gradient Tool" and choose the reflected gradient type (fourth button) in the Option bar. Draw a vertical line on the image covering the area that should be in focus.

3. The red shading of Quick Mask indicates the area of focus. Redo the gradient as necessary to get the main focus of the picture in the center of the shaded area. Unselect "Quick Mask" to show the dancing ants of the selected area.

4. Select "Filter>Blur>Lens Blur." In the pop-up window, make sure that "Preview" is checked. Use the Radius slider to alter the amount of blurring until you get an image that looks correct. You may have to cancel the filter and redo the gradient if you are not satisfied with the look. Click "OK" to apply the filter.

5. Save the image as your completed tilt-shift photograph.

Tips & Warnings

• Images from city squares, railway stations or airports make good tilt-shift photographs.

References

• Tilt-Shift Photography: Photoshop Tutorial