Miniature Photo Effect

Original photo

miniaturized photo effect

This is a quick and easy process, you start by taking your high resolution landscape shot
1) duplicate background layer

Step 1

2) Filter -> blur -> lens blur

Step 2

3) Add a layer mask to the duplicated background layer upon which you just applied a lens blur filter

add layer mask to filtered layer

4) Paint out the areas you want to be in focus, and add a contrast adjust ment curve that is more of an arch curve to accentuate the contrast colors.

Step 4

Results:

NYC Miniaturized