Tilt-shifting

biqua · Diamond Bollocks Joined: 12 Jun 2007 Posts: 575

I'll start with a disclaimer - not everything here is rail related, but it is a common subject of the technique, and I thought it fitted better here than in the bar ... if 'Dawg and co disagree feel free to move it.

I'm sure many of you have seen the photo of Southern Cross Station in Melbourne that looks like a model thanks to a technique called tilt-shift, but for those that haven't I suggest you have a look here.

Some more examples and another how-to can be found here.

Well, a workmate today showed me some tilt-shifted video - I seriously recommend a look at this, and the other videos from the same guy - http://www.vimeo.com/1789964

Regrettably I don't think any of my archive of photos are of a suitable nature to tilt-shift, but has anyone here given it a try (either video or still)? I must go out and get some specifically to experiment.
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biqua · Diamond Bollocks Joined: 12 Jun 2007 Posts: 575

I found a couple to try - I think the second one came out best:

Mungo Scott

Cook's River

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AusInExile · Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 11:06 pm Post subject:

Looks interesting mate, I'll have to give it a go and post the results when my copy of CS4 comes in the mail in a week or two. I have one or two shots that might go quite well for this topic.

TheLoadedDog · Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 11:12 pm Post subject:

Can somebody explain in simple terms for a ~~complete idiot~~ non-photographer what tilt shifting is, but more importantly, why it makes everything look like a model layout?
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biqua · Diamond Bollocks Joined: 12 Jun 2007 Posts: 575

From what I can gather, there's two main elements:
- photoing something the size of a model is hard as it tends to only focus on one small area, where photoing a normal scene will have most in focus - blurring most the photo tricks the mind into thinking everything is smaller than it is
- as much as us modellers try and make things look realistic, the colours never look dead on (even if it was from the same tin) as colour doesn't always scale well - adjusting the colour slightly mimics this effect

Looking at my above attempts again this morning I don't think the Mungo shot worked at all - the building on a model would be more in focus, and the sky isn't enough to get the effect of the blur on its own, as clouds can look blurry anyway.
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Cobraking/42101 · Fuckwit Crusher Joined: 28 Jul 2007 Posts: 693

Biqua fantastic work with the shot from cooks river mate it does indeed look like a super detailed model train set....way cool. Cool

Petey3801 · Joined: 04 Oct 2007 Posts: 25 Location: Brisbane

Hmmm, not sure whether this one worked out great, but I don't think its too bad:

parkeshub · Joined: 28 Aug 2008 Posts: 310 Location: Fox World

biqua · Diamond Bollocks Joined: 12 Jun 2007 Posts: 575

Thanks Greg. Pete - I definitely rate that, but wonder if a touch more colour around the locos wouldn't just make it that little bit more model-like? Could just be my screen though - my attempts certainly look different between home and work screens.

I may be going for a gunzel on Monday, so will keep this subject in mind ...
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parkeshub · Joined: 28 Aug 2008 Posts: 310 Location: Fox World

simont141 · Joined: 07 Apr 2008 Posts: 318 Location: Adelaide

Pretty good technique. I'll try and find some suitable pics and give it a shot later tonight.
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409 · Posted: Sat Oct 18, 2008 2:30 pm Post subject:

409 · Posted: Sat Oct 18, 2008 8:47 pm Post subject:

Here's my shit house effort. Because I don't have the full version of photoshop, I have had to improvise here and there.

For those who don't know, this was taken from Morphett Street Bridge just beyond the end of the platforms at Adelaide Railway station during afternoon peak back in April.
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Benny · Posted: Sun Oct 19, 2008 9:02 pm Post subject:

A word of advice on this technique?

Don't use photos with sharp shadows.

I've been using the 'tilt-shift' effect in Photoshop CS for quite a while now. Shadows in images really stuff up the whole effect.

Models are usually inside, and there is no harsh shadows cast by indoors lighting generally speaking.

Here's some of mine.

Lithgovia Loco.

Boat on the Harbour.

Bottom Points, ZZR.

Old Goods Crane, Katoomba.

Works on non-rail stuff too!

Leura Cascades.

Here's one with shadows, that doesn't work.

As you can see, the ones with shadows are not as effective.

Oh, and a second word of advice, overdo the saturation a bit. The colours 'block' up and look more like models.

That's my 5 cents worth. Now Stick that one up your arse!!
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biqua · Diamond Bollocks Joined: 12 Jun 2007 Posts: 575

Geez Benny - show us all up why don't ya! And you

"Lithgovia Loco" and "Bottom Points, ZZR" in partuclar are fantastic and both look like N scale. Great stuff. smile

EDIT: Oh, and "Leura Cascades" you bastard. Razz

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