While searching for a selective focus photoshop plugin (selective focus is impossible with the new generation of small sized digicams due to the low chip-focus distance even with open aperture) I discovered something interesting. Based on an algorithm described earlier by Avidan and Shamir, Sabet and Sabet-Wasinger have implemented a “content-aware” approach where only less important areas are resized while others remain unaffected – see the explanations, demos and videos on their site. As pictures say more than hundreds of words here is my original 460px wide view of Amsterdam.

cut out 360px

resampled to 360px

unbiased liquid resized to 360px

Although the implementation is still slow at the moment, it may be one of the fastest ways to mask certain areas from a given picture.