PhixitMake a tilt-shift miniature effect
Blurring the top and bottom of a photo tricks the brain into reading the scene as a small model. It works best on photos taken from high up: streets, harbors, stadiums.
Free, no sign-up. Your photo stays on your device. Try it on a sample photo
How to make a tilt-shift effect
- Choose or drop a photo. It opens with Tilt-shift blur applied.
- Move Tilt-shift position to put the sharp band on your subject, and set the sharp band width.
- Raise Saturation and Contrast a little to make it look even more like a toy. Save from Export.
Good to know
- Photos shot from a rooftop or a hill, looking down at about 45 degrees, give the strongest effect.
- The Miniature look in the film strip sets everything at once.
- Close-ups and portraits do not read as miniatures: the effect needs a wide scene.
Questions
Why does tilt-shift make things look small?
A very shallow depth of field is what we see when we look at small objects up close, so our brain assumes the scene is tiny.
Can I make the sharp area a circle?
No, the sharp area is a horizontal band, which suits most scenes.
Does it need a special camera?
Real tilt-shift lenses exist, but the blur here gives the same look from any photo.
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