In order to do this project, I used a Canon EOS 20D with a 18-55mm lens. I would pick a subject with a nice background and frame it in the center of my photo. Then, I would step back while zooming which decreases my field of view while keeping the subject the same size in order to achieve the dolly zoom effect. The subject stays the same, while the background of the subject appears to change. I chose to take my pictures at a winery in Napa. The first series is of a glass pitcher with nature scenery in the background. The second series is of some wine bottles in a wine barn. It was very challenging keeping the camera stable and keeping consistent framing while zooming at a steady rate. Also, sometimes the lighting would change or something in the background would move.
Here are GIFs of my sequences
In this project, we simulate the effects from tilt shift cameras programatically to give the illusion that the camera was close to the subject. The main parameters are: 1) the two points selected to define the focus line, 2) the size of the depth of focus, 3) the saturation factor. First, I select two points to define the focus line. Then, I calculate the distance of each pixel from that line. I create a gaussian stack (where each image is consecutively blurrier) and then define a set of thresholds, where if a pixel is within a certain threshold, it's value should come from the corresponding stack level. I create a mask for each threshold, apply a gaussian to the mask for blending purposes, and apply the mask on it's corresponding stack level to blend all the levels together, which is demonstrated below for one of my images.
Then, I convert the image to hsv, apply the saturation factor, and convert it back to rgb to enhance the miniatures effect.
I set the focus line horizontally as the rocks in the picture
I set the focus line horizontally as the trees in the picture
I set the focus line vertically as the building in the picture
I set the focus line vertically as the temple in the picture. Original Photo Link: https://walkjapan.com/application/files/5514/5570/5986/hero-slide-japan.jpg
I set the focus line horizontally as the sculptures. Original Photo Link: https://www.kimptonhotels.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/monet-pool-fiori.jpg
I think the La Jolla photo turned out best, since the rocks don't really have definitive edges like the buildings do.