Live Depth of Field effects in Affinity Photo 2

Shallow depth of field effects are very much in vogue right now, as are fast prime lenses and the ‘bokeh’ effect they can create. To a degree you can simulate this in software, though a lot depends on the image you’re starting with and how well it suits the effect.

This article explains Affinity Photo 2’s Live Depth of Field filter, and how it can be used to create a ‘miniature’ tilt shift effect where real-life scenes can be made to look like tiny models or dioramas.

It’s an optical trick that relies on a controlled blur at the bottom and the top of the frame to simulate the shallow depth of field you get with close-up photography.

It also needs a shot taken from the right angle, where you’re looking down obliquely at the scene below. The idea shooting position is from the top of a tall building, such as this castle in Cornwall.