[Ginnypenny]

Alright, to preface the question I am about to ask I should let you all know that I am not the type that is content knowing that something just does something, I want to know why.
I tried looking the answer up, but the explanations I found didn't tell me why. So here goes.

I get that tilt shift lenses make scenes look like they are miniture. But why does it do that? And also, what is it about the image that makes it look miniture? I suppose it's the angle?

[jkleb]

Don;t hate me when your head explodes on this one.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scheimpflug_principle

[BobEdens]

Cool link, thanks!
 (Suzie, look at figure #2. It should explain it. )

[Ginnypenny]

The part about the DOF being wedge shaped made the most sense to me. I think I am grasping it at bit. Math is NOT my strength but I do get geometry to some extent. It could be because it is visual, I understand what I can see.

[jkleb]

I'll be nice and give you the simple version too.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tilt-shift_miniature_faking

[Ginnypenny]

I'll be nice and give you the simple version too.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tilt-shift_miniature_faking

gee thanks.
Honestly the first link answered the first part of my question and the second link you sent answered the second part of my question.

[Ed Farmer]

Susie,

Sorry that I just got to this!  The answer here is not to confuse what a tilt/shift lens does.  These are not specific to miniatures.  These are really "perspective control" lenses.  They have two of the movements (tilt and shift) that are available on view cameras.

Perspective control can be used to prevent "keystoning", the effect where a photo of a tall building appears to get smaller the higher it goes.  It can also be used to control the plane of focus and the planes of the front and rear borders of DOF.  You often see this effect in "Lens Baby" pictures.

Ed