June 2010

Confusing Eyes Optical Illusion

Look in the eyes in both normal and negative images.

As social primates, humans have a keen interest in where people are looking. Vision research Pawan Sinha of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology shows us with this illusion that our brains determine gaze direction by comparing the dark parts of the eyes (the irises and pupils) with the whites. In the normal photograph of Humphrey Bogart, the actor appears to be looking to his left, but in the photo negative he appears to be looking in the opposite direction even though his face is still turned toward the left. Even though we know that the irises are white in the reverse image, we can’t change our perception of the illusion.This is really amazing .

-www.scientificamerican.com/

Expanding Window Illusion

The image appears to expand.

Dolphin at play in clouds

Photographed at Sausalito, California. U.S.
© David Holbrooke.

Funny Photography

Superman & Clark Kent Hybrid Illusion

The famous double personality super-hero appears here. Up close it appears that the mild mannered reporter, Clark Kent, is presenting the lovely Louis with flowers. If you step back a few meters, however, Kent's alter ego will emerge. The beautiful bouquet of roses will begin to recede back, as it is well aligned with the red and yellow "S" icon that spans the front of superman's leotard. The lines that stand to indicate the features of Clark Kent's suit will gradually disappear into superman's brightly colored ensemble.