Cloud Stew

Keith Loutit, a photographer based in sydney, demonstrates how a camera, a tilt-shift, and time can be conjured into an irresistable video.

(click the link for HD)

For those of you who haven’t heard of the oddity that is tilt-shifting I can describe it as a lens technology that defocuses in a linear gradient. In other words the lens is sharpest at a centeral line and loses sharpness in both directions away from the line. The tilt-shift lens was originally made to compensate for the warping that occurs when photographing building from up-close. However, some of you may have noticed from the video that, if used correctly, the technique gives the impression that you’re looking at a miniature. This is exactly what makes tilt-shifting so mesmerizing when applied to moving things like people or boats that you know are supposed to look big. Don’t pull that wallet out yet though because a tilt-shift lens will cost you a small fortune (if you’re a poor college student like me, that is).

For more about the artist: Kieth Loutit Photoblog