Fake Miniatures

In this project, we were tasked with creating fake miniatures by simulating the effect of selective focus cameras - a tilt shift. This can be done by having the user select a focus plane by masking a region of interest and then applying a gaussian blur to the rest of the image. This narrows the perceived depth of field and creates the illusion that the lens was really close to the object of interest. As a result, it appears as though the object of interest is really small.

Specifying the Focus Plane

To define the focus plane, I have the user select 2 points using ginput and specify the orientation of the focus plane. When the user wants a horizontal focus plane, the two points selected will form the "top line" and "bottom line". Combined with the borders of the photo, we have formed a rectangular focus plane that will remain in focus, since we won't be applying the gaussian blur on that focus plane. This helps us simulate a depth of field. Likewise, the user can also specify a vertical focus plane, and the two points selected will form the "left line" and "right line". We then form a rectangle focus plane similarly and apply a gaussian blur in everywhere except for the plane.

Blurring

Blurring was quite difficult to tune and get just right. Like the spec suggests, we can apply a gaussian multiple times and still end up with a gaussian. Thus, I experimented with the number of times to apply the gaussian and determined that 3 times seemed quite optimal.

Bells and Whistles

When I went back home this Thanksgiving break, my friend and I were fortunate enough to witness a beautiful sunset. I had him capture it as I was driving. I enjoyed how the blurred sunset made the cars in front of us seem somewhat tinier. I understand that the miniaturization effect wasn't quite as optimal, and thus, I've attached the original sunset photo for all to enjoy.

I've also created two other gifs by stacking a few frames I took on campus. Although short, I felt like the gif of the person walking in front of Wheeler was pretty cool.

Internet Example 1 - Empire State

Photo taken by Stephen Walford

https://www.flickr.com/photos/stephenwalford/8116884592/in/photolist-7gPctU-5GjiCs-6XWXVa-6586Cs-oBmvUG-ceGQ85-dnga15-67nyJZ-6iFZNo-5vS1oE-iFYC57-5vBQVj-6e8vyD-62yhYD-6hJEhy-5t9725-6pr5vr-7nLXuc-8ZckvT-8ZSFM7-6uMh3b-5cPpnS-5MQNSh-6MKABz-788pZA

Although the effect has been applied, I couldn't really "miniaturize" the Empire State, probably because I can never truly get it out of my mind that the Empire State is one of the biggest buildings in the world.

Internet Example 2 - Hangzhou, China - West Lake

Photo taken by Jaymar Alvaran

https://www.flickr.com/photos/jalvaran/5112572396/in/photolist-8MMgDW-aKCMQn-fThU2C-9dhrnt-BAvBH-m2ZPrh-PqbqpV-gVJymB-f3DbWp-kMc2S7-bTwb1F-e6NwEW-cocDXE-92wSLE-EejK6J-dkf6KA-a3FAtF-ofQrrZ-pGfs6E-egcE2m-e754TW-T9sKMm-f2jzi8-dZrGgi-641eta-mDXbaS-bRbujv-aXxZqa-b9ZhJi-jQqiJS-885N7v-7ehzeg-QAr2Hs-eRdA1p-gMbk2b-e7Ej2B-f551Fr-dqDb1L-hhWFcD-giWaBD-kKjJ8W-bxhQuE-eaiDi9-aiwiVL-gNzxVs-Pqbh7T-wjXWfN-T8MnK3-eeQpGy-bkvjZs

My Photo 1 - Plants on the Balcony of the MET in New York

My Photo 2 - Central Park

My Photo 3 - Friend Standing on a Rock Somewhere in Big Sur

My Photo 4 - The Bellagio

Fake Stop Motion Gifs

Wheeler

Post Lecture Scenes

Sunset

Vertigo Shot

The vertigo shot can be described as a series of images where the object of interest remains the same size while the background appears to be changing in size. For me, this effect was quite disorienting. While I was creating gifs for the Bells and Whistles, I experienced a ton of motion sickness. It was worth it though since the results were quite cool.

Shooting the Photos

I focused on a subject and took 4 photographs as I backed away from the subject and zoomed in to ensure that the subject remains the same size. The grid in the viewfinder was extremely helpful. Although I didn't use a tripod, that would've been nice as well. Reflecting back, I think a tripod on a skateboard would've made a ton of sense to make backing up a little easier.

Vertigo Shot - Hearst Mining Circle

Vertigo Shot - 6th Floor in Sutardja Dai Hall

Taken on a Canon Rebel.