So for today’s post we are going to have a little fun creating a simulated tilt-shift photograph since I really don’t want to spend $1100-1600 on a lens for this purpose. Though it is possible to produce something similar in-camera using the Nikon D7000 I am now shooting with. The original photo was shot in May of 2009 and sat in my archives as it was NOT a very good day for shooting with the sun beating down during mid-day.
(Click through on the image to see fake tilt-shift in 700px)
Anyhow, the purpose of a tilt-shift is mainly for controlling perspective in architectural photography. Unless you are far enough away and perfectly straight on with a building, there will be convergence or divergence of lines on the building. For instance, if shooting from the ground, the building will seem as though the sides are converging while looking up. A T/S (Canon) or PC-E (Nikon) lens can prevent that.
Of course, there are other uses such as keeping objects in one focal plane in focus and everything else out of focus. When cityscapes are shot from high above, it can appear as though the city is a toy miniature city. (See this video.) (A bunch more here.)
Since I do not have PC-E lens, I can always simulate it through Adobe Lightroom, by adjusting the image through use of graduate filters functionality. Obviously the higher you are above a city or the object, the better the results. This photo is not great representation of T/S, but is passable.
The bridge is the old Highway 49 bridge crossing the South Yuba River. Built in 1922 and last used for vehicular traffic in 1993 when the modern bridge was built. I was standing on the new bridge to shoot the old bridge. During the summer, local kids will jump from the bridge and into the swimming hole below. And this particular stretch of water is considered an expert run for kayakers especially during spring run-off.
EXIF data: Nikon D50, patterned metering mode, 26mm, ISO 200, 1/40 sec, f/11
South Yuba River, Old Hwy 49 Crossing, Tilt-Shift Simulation. Nevada County, California. May 14, 2011. © Copyright Steven Tze – all rights reserved.
Steven Tze Photography 
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