How to Fake a Tilt-Shift Miniature Photograph in GIMP

Tilt-Shift Photography is a great technique to experiment with and if you don’t want to spend your money on a new lens then it is possible to replicate the effect, and in this tutorial I’ll show you how to achieve this effect!

Fake Tilt-Shift Miniature in GIMP

1. Choosing the Photo!

The first and hardest step is selecting the right photograph to use with this technique, the optimum photo is one that was shot high up above the subject and a substantial distance away, otherwise the effect of it being miniature cannot be emphasised well.
I’ve chosen this one from Amboise, France – photographed high up above the streets from the Chateau:

Choosing the right Photograph!

2. Duplicate + Focus Blur

Duplicate the ‘Background‘ layer:
Blur the copied layer ‘Background Copy‘ go, Filters –> Blur –> Focus Blur:
Change the ‘Diffusion Model and Radius’ setting to ~10.00, as shown:
Note: It may require a small amount of tweaking to get a desired blur.
Also, if you do not have Focus Blur you should use Gaussian Blur or download the plugin here!

Duplicate Background + Focus Blur

3. Add Layer Mask + Rectangle Select

Add a New Layer Mask, *Right Click* > Add Layer Mask, (on ‘Background Copy’):
Select White (simple hit enter):
Using the Rectangle Select Tool select the area of focus, with settings: Feather Edges Radius: 100:

Add Layer Mask + Rectangle Select Tool

Fill selection with the Paint Bucket: Black, or go Colors –> Invert:

Paint Bucket Tool: Black

4. Refining the Blurring (Optional)

You might like to further refine the edges of the blurring, by grabbing the Paint Brush: White, Circle Fuzzy
On the Layer Mask touch up the areas that are of non-interest:

Refining the Blurring

6. Saturate for a ‘Plastic’ look of a Model

Firstly, apply the Layer Mask, *Right Click* > Apply Layer Mask, and *Right Click* > Merge Visible Layers:
Go, Colors –> Hue/Saturation: Increase saturation until happy with the look!

Saturate for a 'Plastic' Look!

That’s It! Here is the Before/After:

Before/After Tilt-Shift Miniature Effect

You might like to try the selective focus in a vertical orientation:

Vertical Selective Focus

If you get stuck anywhere just comment below!

For inspiration please checkout these photographs!

Tilt-Shift | Inspiration

Tilt-Shift Photography

You can find a video here from Charlie Harvey:

If you’d like to use these photographs please Contact Me!

Please comment below if you have any questions and I’ll answer them ASAP!

Written by Mike

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Michael Scott is the publisher and photographer behind Scott Photographics! He is very passionate about his photography and enjoys sharing the best of his experiences for others to enjoy too! Contact Mike via email!

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