Cinematography, Lighting, and Composition - Frame-by-Frame Stop Motion: The Guide to Non-Traditional Animation Techniques - page 70

This effect has had a comeback recently and can be seen in still
photography as well as pixilation or time-lapse photography. Since there
is this tilt of the lens and focal plane, the effect almost mimics the effect
of a macro lens used on very small subjects and with a shallow depth of
field. Life-scale images, like people, buildings, cars, or anything you shoot
with this effect looks like a miniature. This is especially true if the camera
is placed above the subject, further enhancing the illusion of being a
miniature.
The shift in tilt-shift refers to moving the lens plane up and down or side to
side, and that movement is parallel to the image plane. This allows tall or
wide objects to be photographed without tilting the camera and lens (which
normally forces diverging perspective lines in the object). Architects often
use this technique to get straight and undistorted photographs of buildings.
This effect is not used as much as the tilt effect, which also can be simulated in
postproduction with more control.
Fig 5.7 a shot of a camera with
the tilt adjusted in a tilt-shift
lens setup.
The technology of digital cameras and devices is continuing to expand.
Recently, Aardman Animations had a team of creative people use a Nokia
N8 cell phone that can shoot high-definition video and stills through its Carl
Zeiss lens. The team attached a custom cell scope with an adjustable depth
of field, which is basically a microscope, to the Nokia N8, and they animated
tiny natural objects and models the size of a pencil lead created through
3-D printing.