Discussion 28 > Tilt-shift Images

• The Lesson > https://goo.gl/eftuaB 
• The Shared Album > https://goo.gl/photos/myxNko1hrxr8N6S98

Goal:  Use the tilt-shift effect on an historic artwork and original real life scenarios.

Studio Activity:

Tilt-shift photography is a technique that makes real objects appear small, as if they were part of a miniature scale model.  This is achieved through blurring and distortion - either with special camera lenses (Nikon or Canon); lens adaptors (Hasselblad), digital manipulation, or using an app or Photoshop > https://goo.gl/iKUMbs .  

There are also websites that convert images to tilt-shift photos (http://tiltshiftmaker.com )  

Start with a historically significant artwork of a scene from above (https://artsandculture.google.com/) and then a high quality, well lit, in-focus photograph; take the photo from above and to the side as if looking down upon a scale model.  Choose a relatively simple scene and make sure people are small.  

Trigger Mechanisms: 

• Fantasize
• Shrink
• Manipulate

Visual Examples:

• Westosha Examples > https://goo.gl/photos/TMopoob8w2thxx7m6 
• Before and After tilt shift images > HERE
• Tilt shift video > https://www.reddit.com/r/TheRandomest/comments/17n9qy8/special_lens_makes_everything_look_micro_sized/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3 

Generalize, Reflect & Publish:

Instructional Strategy

• Evaluate the results

Learning Activity

1. Reflect > 

1. Did I achieve the goal?  
2. Should I go back and rework anything?

• FOCAL POINT
• PLACEMENT
• BACKGROUND
• Where are the dominant shapes, forms, colors, or textures that carry significance?

• Is the work ordered and balanced or chaotic and disturbing?
• What gives the work its uniqueness?
• How is symbolism used to convey meaning other than what one sees?
• Does the work evoke any feelings or tone?

Instructional Strategy

• Providing Recognition & Feedback

Learning Activities

2. Join > The Shared Album > https://goo.gl/photos/myxNko1hrxr8N6S98    

1. Click join and now this album will appear in your sharing section of Google Photos

3. Share >  Your QUALITY artwork to The Shared Album (HOW TO) (CREATION SCORE)

4. Critique > provide written commentary in the shared album. (EVALUATION SCORE)

1. Comment on your QUALITY artwork in the shared album

1. Processes used
2. Materials used
3. Ideas visually evident (how is this photograph a close up and about joy)

5. Critique > provide written commentary in the shared album. (EVALUATION SCORE)

1. Click the ♡ heart on as many QUALITY artworks that deserve your vote.
2. Comment on 1 classmate’s QUALITY artworks in the shared album

1. What’s going in this image?
2. What do you see that makes you say that?
3. What more can you find?

Be inspired by the work of Serena Malyon > http://goo.gl/8Ri7 that applied the tilt-shift technique to famous Van Gogh paintings. The effect took flat, 2D images and gave them the illusion of 3D scenes from the past.

Be further inspired by Nicolas >  http://goo.gl/tquMVh 

Tilt-Shift Photography Tips

The following are some easy tips and tricks that expert photographers have recommended. These apply to both professional cameras and apps for creating tilt-shift photos.

Go High

Try and take the photo from above. This helps you make the subjects look miniature to start with, and then add the tilt-shift effect as you want. However, do not go right on top and overhead of the subject. It is not a flat-lay photo. Getting depth on a 90-degree angle will be much harder, believe me. You need to stay high but at an angle to the subject in focus.

Choose the Subject Carefully

The subject should be the easiest point of focus. It should be the center of attention. To make this happen, it is necessary that this subject is eye-catching. Choose it carefully. Make sure that it has colors that pop, shapes that attract attention, and it is positioned at a high point of your frame, most likely the center. These tiny details are very important and a significant difference between a plain photograph and a best-seller shot!

Make it Sharper

Remember to keep your focus point as sharp as you can without ruining the quality of the photo. This is important because the rest of your photo is blurred, and your focal point should have a visible difference from the rest of the blurred scene. It is possible if you keep the subject as sharp and clear as you possibly can so that it attracts immediate attention without the viewer having to look through and find the focused subject.

Use Filters

Lots can be done using advanced technologies. Use this facility to your benefit and manipulate your photo to look more “tilted” if you need to. Many professional photographers do this and some of the most brilliant shots have been edited, it is nothing to be ashamed of. This facility is available on the web, as downloadable software, and tilt-shift photography iPhone. Adjust the aperture, the blur, and the angle of the photo. Change the colors and add some filters according to your liking. Go creative and wild with the editing. It’s free, and it’s fun!