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- Miniature faking
About a year and a half ago, my friend sent me a postcard with two things I love: a train and a cool photographic technique. The photo technique was called miniature faking where the edges of the image are blurred to make the image look like you’re using a macro lens and the subjects appear very small.
Fast forward to present day and I am OBSESSED with the TV show Best of Miniature (think: Great Canadian Baking show but where they build miniature houses instead). And guess what technique they use on occasion? That’s right, miniature faking!
So how do you achieve this technique? Well, I haven’t tried it yet (there’s not very many applications for it in photojournalism) but in theory…
Blur everything but one plane — can do this with specific lenses or in post production
Take photo from high angle — because usually you’re looking down at small objects
Maybe one day I will find an excuse to use this technique. But until then, here are some pitches!
These are real life people! But don’t they look so mini with this technique?? :D
First time contributing? Start here!
1. Check out these guides to the Ubyssey photo section and what makes a good photo.
2. To claim a pitch, reply to this email and wait for confirmation from me that it's still available.
3. If you need to borrow a camera, let me know when you sign up for a pitch.
4. Take as many photos as you think fit the assignment, then select the best 5–10. Feel free to use editing software as needed (and let me know if you need Lightroom access). Unless otherwise specified, please take all photos in a landscape orientation.
5. Send photos in JPG format and make sure each file is between 1–3MB.
6. Name the photos as follows: IMG_first initial-last name-pitch_file number (e.g., IMG_SShawCactusPlant1_2025-06-18)
7. Upload photos into the folder that will be shared with you from the [email protected] account. If you don’t have Google Drive, please let me know.
Photo pitches
Please send in all photos by 12 p.m. on the deadline (unless the event you are covering is happening that day). If you need to borrow a camera, let me know when you sign up for a pitch.
Culture
Take a headshot of choir Directer Joanne Acasio for a culture piece about the Koro Pacifico, a Filipino choir based in Vancouver.
Deadline: July 17
Guide rip
Take a photo of one of the following restaurant’s store front or food (shoot in landscape orientation please!):
Breka, Koi sushi, LOCAL Public Eatery Kitsilano, The Eatery, Jam Cafe, Zapoteca, CRAFT Beer Market False Creek, Burgoo, Fable Kitchen, Salmon n’ Bannock.
Deadline: July 15