The tilt-shift issue is a weird optical illusion where a regular photo looks like a photo of a toy model. By creatively blurring different parts of the image, y'all fox people's eyes into interpreting everything in it as really tiny.

A tilt-shift lens is the simplest way to do this, but they cost several g dollars. Instead, we're going to mimic the consequence using Photoshop.

Step One: Pick a Photo

This effect will but work with certain kinds of photos. You want something that could feasibly be a miniature model. Wide bending shots of buildings or crowds from above tend to work all-time. I'g using this photograph of Turner Field by Joshua Peacock.

Once y'all've got an image yous're happy with, open it upward in Photoshop.

Step Two: Apply the Effect

Duplicate the Background layer by going to Layer > Duplicate Layer or pressing Command+J on your keyboard (Control+J if yous're on a Mac).

Side by side, get to Filter > Blur Gallery > Tilt-Shift. Your cursor will modify to a Drawing Pin.

Click on where you want the centre of the in-focus area to be and you'll get an overlay that looks something like this.

This looks a little complicated so lets break down what everything is:

  1. Click and drag on the inner circle to move the center of the blur around.
  2. Click and elevate on the outer band to change the amount of blur that's being applied.
  3. Click and drag on the control handles on the solid lines to modify the bending of the in-focus area.
  4. Click and drag anywhere else on the solid lines to change the size of the in-focus area.
  5. Click and drag on the dashed lines to change the size of the transition betwixt the in-focus and blurred areas.

Play around with the settings until you get something that looks correct. I've increased the Mistiness to 25, reduced the size of the in-focus area in the foreground, reduced the size of the transition in the foreground and increased the size of the transition in the background.

When you're happy with your settings, press Enter. Here's what mine looks similar at present:

Step Three: Add Your Finishing Touches

RELATED: What Are Adjustment Layers in Photoshop?

With the tilt-shift effect practical, your paradigm should exist well on its way to looking similar a miniature model. Now it's fourth dimension to apply any finishing touches you lot desire. I'm going to brighten my paradigm upwards and add some saturation to go far look a bit more toy-like.

Become to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Vibrance and drag the Saturation slider to the right. Around 17 looks good for the image I'm using, but go with any works for yours.

RELATED: What Are Curves in Photoshop?

Next, go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Curves and click a indicate somewhere in the middle of the line. Drag it up to brighten the paradigm. For more on using curves, check out our detailed guide.

And with that, it's done. We've taken a regular photo and turned it into this cool, model-esque effect.