TwistedSifter

The Vastness of Space, Miniaturized

 

Trying to comprehend the expanse of space is a daunting task. Just reading about the distance between Earth and the nearest star/planet/galaxy is enough to boggle most minds. So the thought of miniaturizing something so expansive as the Cosmos is both fascinating and counter-intuitive.

Last month reddit user TheScienceLlama used the Tilt-Shift filter in Photoshop to create a stunning series of space images. While many associate the technique with tilt-shift photography, it’s more accurate to describe this particular Photoshop process as miniature faking or the diorama effect.

 

An example of ‘digital miniaturization’ by Greg Keene

 

The effect is achieved by blurring parts of the photo to simulate a shallow depth of field. You can read more about the technique here and here.

If you enjoy the series below, be sure to check out the desktop wallpapers that reddit user Wattsit made using the same effect.

[via TheScienceLlama]

 

1. Horsehead Nebula

Miniaturized by TheScienceLlama
Original Image by NASA, ESA, and the Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)
Assembly and processing by Robert Gendler

 

2. Crab Nebula

Miniaturized by TheScienceLlama
Original Image by Adam Block, Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter, U. Arizona

 

3. Centaurs A

Miniaturized by TheScienceLlama
Original Image by ESO/WFI (Optical); MPIfR/ESO/APEX/A.Weiss et al. (Submillimetre); NASA/CXC/CfA/R.Kraft et al. (X-ray)

 

4. Meathook Galaxy

Miniaturized by TheScienceLlama
Original Image by ESO

 

5. Thor’s Helmet Nebula

Miniaturized by TheScienceLlama
Original Image by Robert Gendler

 

6. Pencil Nebula

Miniaturized by TheScienceLlama
Original Image by ESO

 

7. Tadpole Galaxy

Miniaturized by TheScienceLlama
Original Image by HST data from the Hubble Legacy Archive
Processed by Bill Snyder

 

8. Andromeda Galaxy

Miniaturized by TheScienceLlama
Original Image by Adam Evans

 

 

Reddit user Wattsit made a series of desktop wallpapers using the same technique.
You can download the full size images on Imgur!

 

Miniaturized by Wattsit

 

Miniaturized by Wattsit

 

Miniaturized by Wattsit

 

Miniaturized by Wattsit

 

Miniaturized by Wattsit

 

Miniaturized by Wattsit

 

Miniaturized by Wattsit

 

Miniaturized by Wattsit

 

 

 

If you enjoyed this post, the Sifter
highly recommends:

 

What if Other Planets Were as Close to Earth as the Moon?

 

 

What the Night Sky Would Look Like if Cities Went Dark

 

 

15 Mind-Blowing Featured Images by NASA

 

 

Exit mobile version