Tilt and Shift Effect

Tilt and shift photography makes the subject of the photo look as if it is miniature. Although this can be done using a special lens, Photoshop can create the same effect.

NOTE: as this effect gives the impression of a miniature model, it is best to use photographs that are taken from above. Buildings, cars and roads work particularly well with this effect.

Above, you can see the original and edited images. Additionally, a larger final image can be see at the end of the tutorial.

The image I used in this tutorial can be found here:
http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://i.images.cdn.fotopedia.com/flickr-2232423109-image/Countries_of_the_World/Europe/United_Kingdom/Northern_Ireland/Belfast_City_Hall-Belfast-Northern_Ireland-Ulster-image.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.fotopedia.com/wiki/Belfast_City_Hall&usg=__p9qoxM34Jlkq1exsYS7r9Lhbbtg=&h=533&w=400&sz=118&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=psiOX-bOMRL-SM:&tbnh=131&tbnw=106&ei=YkYHTpjGO8qa8QPP-YzZDQ&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dlooking%2Bdown%2Bon%2Bbelfast%2Bcity%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26biw%3D1366%26bih%3D677%26tbm%3Disch&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=819&vpy=51&dur=257&hovh=259&hovw=194&tx=81&ty=158&page=1&ndsp=28&ved=1t:429,r:4,s:0&biw=1366&bih=677

 STEP 1

With your image open on Photoshop, enter the Quick Mask Mode, which can be found at the bottom of the tool palette (as shown above)

STEP 2

Select the gradient tool, choosing the reflective gradient.

STEP 3

With your gradient tool, draw a vertical line... the starting point will be the centre of the in-focus area, and the end point will be the end of the transition to out-of-focus. 

As you can see from my image, the line starts just below the white van and ends just above the green spire.

After you release the mouse, a red band will appear across your screen. This shows the area that will be in focus.

STEP 4

Take a look at the red band – the middle of the band will be in focus, gradually becoming out of focus where the red ends. 

If this is not where you want it to be, simply draw another line until the area you want is covered.

NOTE: the out-of-focus is not yet applied. This will be applied in later steps.

STEP 5

Return to standard mode by clicking the quick mask mode button again. The area that will be made out-of-focus will be selected by a rectangular box/boxes.

STEP 6

Go to filter>blur>lens blur

Experiment with the radius and other settings until you achieve the look you want. Once happy with the effect, click OK. This will bring you back to your image.

STEP 7

Use ctrl+D  to deselect the selected area.

STEP 8

As miniature models are usually painted bright colours, you may want to increase the saturation of the image to improve the effect. To do this, go to image>adjustments>hue/saturation.

Again, experiment with these values until you achieve the look you want.

This is the finished image.

ADDITIONALLY:

To improve the layout of the image, you can crop it down.

To do this, use the rectangular marquee tool to highlight the section of the area you want to crop. Then go to image>crop.