Horsemaning is a photography trick that creates an illusion of a person’s head being detached from the body and replaced by a horse’s head.
It’s achieved by aligning the head and body in such a way that it appears as though the head has been replaced. This trick became popular in the early 2000s and is now sometimes referred to as “headless horsemaning.”
Horsemaning works by aligning the person’s head and body in such a way that the head appears to be detached from the body.
This is typically done by taking a photo of a person from the waist up, with the head tilted forward, so that the head is obscured by the body.
Then, a second photo of a horse’s head is taken and carefully aligned with the first photo so that the horse’s head appears to be attached to the body.
The final image is created by merging the two photos together in a way that makes it appear as though the person’s head has been replaced by the horse’s head.
The effect is created by careful attention to detail, such as ensuring that the lighting and perspective match between the two photos, to create a seamless and convincing illusion.
Versions of the Horsemaning
The following are some examples of Horsemaning
Illusions like Horsemaning
Horsemaning is a photographic illusion. It creates the illusion of a person’s head being detached from the body and replaced by a horse’s head.
This is achieved by careful alignment of the head and body in a photo to create the appearance of a horse’s head in place of the person’s head.
The final image gives the appearance of a detached head floating in the air, creating a surreal and amusing visual trick.
Some similar illusions are as follows:
Forced perspective is a technique used in photography, architecture, and other visual arts to manipulate the perception of the size and distance of objects.
It creates the illusion of a larger or smaller object, or of one that is closer or farther away, by carefully controlling the angles, proportions, and placement of objects in the scene.
Forced Perspective
The Ponzo illusion is a type of visual illusion in which a pair of parallel lines, or a horizontal bar, appear to be of different lengths based on the presence of a converging or diverging set of lines, often resembling the converging parallel lines of a road or railway track, placed above and below them.
The Ponzo Illusion
The Ebbinghaus illusion: This illusion is similar to the Delboeuf illusion but in this case the central circle appears larger when surrounded by smaller circles and smaller when surrounded by larger circles.
The Delboeuf illusion is a perceptual illusion in which the perceived size of a circle is affected by the size of the surrounding circles.
The Occlusion illusion is a visual illusion where an object that is partially obscured by another object appears to be farther away than it actually is. This illusion is caused by the brain’s interpretation of the relative depth of the objects based on their relative size and position. This phenomenon is based on the visual cues that the brain uses to perceive depth, such as relative size, position, and overlap.
The Müller-Lyer illusion is a classic example of size-contrast illusion, in which two lines of equal length appear to be different due to the presence of arrowheads or fins at the end of the lines.
The moon illusions involves the perception of the Moon appearing larger when it is near the horizon compared to when it is high in the sky.
The Kanizsa triangle is a visual illusion that was first described by the Italian psychologist Gaetano Kanizsa in 1955. The illusion consists of a white equilateral triangle that appears to be surrounded by three Pac-Man-like shapes, which are black and have white crescents facing inwards.
All these illusions demonstrate that the perceived size of an object can be influenced by the context in which it is presented, and that the brain uses the size of the surrounding objects as a reference point to judge the size of the central object.
Discovery of Horsemaning
The origins of horsemaning are unclear, and it is difficult to determine who first started the trend.
This photographic trick has been around since the early 2000s, and became popular on social media platforms such as Facebook and MySpace.
Since then, it has been adopted by photographers and people all over the world as a fun way to create creative and surreal photos.
It’s likely that many people independently discovered this trick and started experimenting with it, so it’s impossible to credit a single person or group with starting the trend.
Chromostereopsis is an optical illusion that involves the perception of depth and three-dimensionality based on color information. It is caused by the differential refraction of light of different wavelengths, known as chromatic aberration, as it passes through a lens.
In chromostereopsis, objects that are red appear to be closer than objects that are blue. This illusion is due to the fact that red light has a longer wavelength and is bent less than blue light when it passes through a lens. As a result, red objects appear to be closer to the observer than blue objects, even when they are actually at the same distance.
Chromostereopsis works by taking advantage of the way that the human visual system processes color information. T
he human eye has three types of color-sensitive cells, called cones, which are sensitive to red, green, and blue light.
Light of different wavelengths is refracted differently when it passes through a lens, and this difference in refraction can cause chromatic aberration.
In chromostereopsis, objects that are red appear to be closer than objects that are blue because red light has a longer wavelength and is bent less than blue light when it passes through a lens.
This difference in refraction results in red objects appearing to be closer to the observer than blue objects, even when they are actually at the same distance.
The visual system processes the color information and combines it with information about the relative position of the objects to create a perception of depth and three-dimensionality. I
n this way, chromostereopsis works by exploiting the differences in the way that the visual system processes red and blue light to create the illusion of depth based on color information.
Versions of Chromostereopsis
The following are some versions of Chromostereopsis:
Chromostereopsis in Stained Glass Artwork
Illusions like Chromostereopsis
Chromostereopsis is a type of optical illusion that falls into the category of stereoscopic illusions. Stereoscopic illusions are optical illusions that involve the perception of depth and three-dimensionality.
Chromostereopsis specifically is a type of stereoscopic illusion that is based on color information. It creates the illusion of depth by taking advantage of the way that the human visual system processes color information and the differences in the way that red and blue light are refracted when they pass through a lens. This illusion demonstrates the role that color can play in shaping our perception of the world and the complex interactions between light, color, and the visual system.
The following are some illusions that are related to Chromostereopsis
An autostereogram is a type of image that appears to be a flat 2D image when viewed normally, but when viewed with a special technique, it appears to be a 3D image with depth and perspective.
Autostereograms are created by repeating a pattern of repeating elements, such as random dots, in such a way that the repeating elements at different depths in the image align with each other when viewed with the special technique. This creates the illusion of a 3D image.
The image below appears as a 2 dimensional flat image, but when viewed using one of these techniques mentioned below, a 3 dimensional shape appears.
The Bezold Effect is a phenomenon in color theory where a change in one color can cause the perception of the surrounding colors to change as well.
This effect is caused by the way the human visual system processes color, and it is often used in art and design to create the illusion of depth or movement.
Binocular rivalry is a phenomenon that occurs when slightly different images are presented to each eye simultaneously.
The brain is unable to fuse the two images into a single, coherent image, and instead alternates between perceiving one image and then the other.
This can cause the perceived image to flicker or change back and forth between the two images.
Troxler’s fading, is a phenomenon in which a stationary visual stimulus eventually disappears from perception, even though it is still present in the visual field.
This occurs because the human visual system adapts to constant stimuli and eventually stops responding to them.
The Phi phenomenon is the illusion of movement created by the rapid succession of static images or light sources.
It is the perceptual phenomenon that explains how the human brain perceives motion when presented with a sequence of still images or light sources that are displayed in rapid succession.
From Wikimedia Commons
The Rotating Snakes is a peripheral drift illusion that consists of a grid of shapes, with some of them appearing to be rotating or undulating. The illusion is created by the interaction of the shapes with the neural processing of the visual system.
The Moiré pattern illusion: This illusion is created by superimposing two similar patterns on top of each other, such as a grid of lines or circles. The resulting pattern appears to be moving or changing.
From Wikimedia Commons
The Scintillating Grid Illusion, in which a grid of black and white squares appears to pulsate or “breathe” when viewed from the periphery of the image.
The Hermann Grid Illusion, in which the intersections of a white grid on a black background appear to be gray, even though they are actually the same color as the background.
Silencing is a visual phenomenon where objects that change in luminance, hue, size, or shape appear to stop changing when they move. They “freeze” in place.
This illusion can be created through various means, such as flashing lights, or rapidly moving a stimulus back and forth.
Silencing – Once the dots start to move they appear to “freeze” in place even though the colors and hues continue to change
The Café Wall Illusion is a visual illusion that is created by a grid of alternating light and dark horizontal and vertical lines. The lines appear to be bent or tilted, even though they are actually straight.
These illusions are usually caused by the way our eyes process visual information and the way the brain interprets it. They can also be caused by the interaction of different visual elements, such as lines and angles, in the image. They are often used in research on visual perception and the neural basis of perception.
Discovery of Silencing
The discovery of Chromostereopsis is attributed to the French mathematician and physicist Augustin-Jean Fresnel (1788-1827). Fresnel was a pioneer in the study of light and optics and made significant contributions to the field of optics, including the development of the theory of wave optics and the discovery of chromatic aberration.
In his work on chromatic aberration, Fresnel observed that light of different wavelengths was refracted differently when it passed through a lens, and he described how this difference in refraction could be used to create the illusion of depth and three-dimensionality based on color information. Although Fresnel did not specifically study chromostereopsis, his work laid the foundation for future research in the area and helped to establish the principles behind the illusion.
Fresnel is remembered as one of the most important figures in the history of optics and his work continues to influence the field of optics and visual perception to this day.
Augustin-Jean Fresnel (1788-1827) was a French mathematician and physicist who made important contributions to the field of optics and wave mechanics. He is best known for his work on the wave theory of light, which challenged the prevailing corpuscular theory of light and laid the foundation for the modern understanding of optics.
Fresnel’s work on the wave theory of light involved developing mathematical equations to describe the behavior of light as a wave and showing how this theory could explain the phenomena of interference, diffraction, and polarization. He also discovered the phenomenon of chromatic aberration, which occurs when light of different wavelengths is refracted differently as it passes through a lens, and he described how this could be used to create the illusion of depth and three-dimensionality based on color information, such as in the chromostereopsis illusion.
Fresnel’s work was groundbreaking and he is considered one of the most important figures in the history of optics. His wave theory of light was later adopted by James Clerk Maxwell and others and became the foundation for modern optics. To this day, Fresnel’s work continues to influence the field of optics and visual perception.
The Beuchet Chair Illusion is an optical illusion that involves a drawing or a photograph of a chair that appears to change shape and orientation as the viewer’s perspective changes.
In the Beuchet Chair Illusion, the chair is drawn or photographed from an oblique angle, causing it to appear distorted and impossible to sit in.
However, when viewed from a different angle, the chair appears to change shape and orientation, becoming a comfortable, normal chair that can be sat in.
This illusion demonstrates the importance of perspective in our perception of the world and highlights the role of context in shaping our perceptions.
The Beuchet Chair Illusion works by taking advantage of the way our brain processes visual information. When we look at an object, our brain takes into account our perspective and any other surrounding information to form a three-dimensional representation of the object.
In the case of the Beuchet Chair Illusion, the chair is drawn or photographed from an oblique angle, causing the brain to perceive it as a distorted, impossible to sit in chair.
However, when the viewer changes their perspective or moves around the chair, the brain takes into account the new information and updates its representation of the chair.
This results in the appearance of the chair changing shape and orientation, becoming a comfortable, normal chair that can be sat in.
The Beuchet Chair Illusion shows that our perception of the world is not solely determined by the visual information that is in front of us, but is also influenced by our own experiences, expectations, and context.
Versions of the Beuchet Chair Illusion
The following are some other versions of the Beuchet Chair Illusion:
Illusions like the Beuchet Chair Illusion
The Beuchet Chair Illusion is an optical illusion that falls into the category of perspective illusions. Perspective illusions are optical illusions that involve the manipulation of perspective and the changing of the apparent shape, size, or orientation of an object as the viewer’s perspective changes.
The Beuchet Chair Illusion is an example of a perspective illusion because it creates the appearance of a chair changing shape and orientation as the viewer’s perspective changes. This illusion demonstrates the influence of perspective on our perception of the world and highlights the role of context in shaping our perceptions.
Some similar illusions are as follows:
The Leaning Tower Illusion is an optical illusion that involves the perception of the tilt angle of a tower or building.
In this illusion, although the images are duplicates, one has the impression that the tower on the right leans more, as if photographed from a different angle.
Forced perspective is a technique used in photography, architecture, and other visual arts to manipulate the perception of the size and distance of objects.
It creates the illusion of a larger or smaller object, or of one that is closer or farther away, by carefully controlling the angles, proportions, and placement of objects in the scene.
The Ponzo illusion is a type of visual illusion in which a pair of parallel lines, or a horizontal bar, appear to be of different lengths based on the presence of a converging or diverging set of lines, often resembling the converging parallel lines of a road or railway track, placed above and below them.
The Ponzo Illusion
The Ebbinghaus illusion: This illusion is similar to the Delboeuf illusion but in this case the central circle appears larger when surrounded by smaller circles and smaller when surrounded by larger circles.
The Delboeuf illusion is a perceptual illusion in which the perceived size of a circle is affected by the size of the surrounding circles.
The Occlusion illusion is a visual illusion where an object that is partially obscured by another object appears to be farther away than it actually is. This illusion is caused by the brain’s interpretation of the relative depth of the objects based on their relative size and position. This phenomenon is based on the visual cues that the brain uses to perceive depth, such as relative size, position, and overlap.
The Müller-Lyer illusion is a classic example of size-contrast illusion, in which two lines of equal length appear to be different due to the presence of arrowheads or fins at the end of the lines.
The moon illusions involves the perception of the Moon appearing larger when it is near the horizon compared to when it is high in the sky.
The Kanizsa triangle is a visual illusion that was first described by the Italian psychologist Gaetano Kanizsa in 1955. The illusion consists of a white equilateral triangle that appears to be surrounded by three Pac-Man-like shapes, which are black and have white crescents facing inwards.
The Shepard table illusion is a type of perceptual illusion that is created by a table-like structure that appears to change its shape depending on the viewing angle.
The table is designed to have sides that are slanted, which creates an ambiguity in the visual perception of the object and makes it appear to change shape from a square to a rectangle or vice versa as the viewpoint changes.
The Shepard table illusion is a classic example of how the brain uses perceptual cues to form a coherent interpretation of the world and highlights the importance of context in shaping our perception.
Shepard Tables
All these illusions demonstrate that the perceived size of an object can be influenced by the context in which it is presented, and that the brain uses the size of the surrounding objects as a reference point to judge the size of the central object.
The Beuchet Chair Illusion was first described by French psychologist Jules Beuchet in the late 19th century. Beuchet was interested in the way our brain processes visual information and the influence of context on our perception of the world. He created the Beuchet Chair Illusion as a tool to demonstrate these principles and to highlight the importance of perspective in our perception of the world.
Since Beuchet’s original description of the illusion, it has been widely used by psychologists and researchers as a tool for studying perception and the brain, and has become one of the most well-known and well-studied optical illusions.
Jules Beuchet was a French psychologist and physician who lived in the late 19th century. He is best known for his research in the field of psychology and his description of the Beuchet Chair Illusion.
Beuchet was interested in the way our brain processes visual information and the influence of context on our perception of the world. He made several contributions to the field of psychology and is remembered for his innovative research in the areas of perception and visual illusions.
An anorthoscope is a type of optical device used for viewing anamorphic images, which are distorted images that appear normal when viewed through a special lens.
An anorthoscope turns a distorted picture picture on a disc into a normal image through fast rotation behind a counter-rotating disk with slits.
The anorthoscope corrects the distortion of anamorphic images and allows the observer to see them in their proper, undistorted form.
An anorthoscope works by using a special lens to correct the distortion of anamorphic images. The lens, typically cylindrical in shape, compensates for the stretching or compression of the image that occurs when it is recorded in anamorphic format.
When viewed through the lens, the distorted image is transformed into its proper, undistorted form. This allows the observer to see the image as it was intended to be seen, without the distortion that was present in the original recording.
The anorthoscope is considered to be a predecessor of the phenakistiscope.
The phenakistiscope was one of the earliest animation devices and was invented in the mid-19th century. It used an optical illusion to create the appearance of motion from a series of static images.
The phenakistiscope used the same basic principle as the anorthoscope, in that it used a cylindrical lens to correct the distortion of anamorphic images, but it was specifically designed for the purpose of animation.
The phenakistiscope paved the way for later animation devices, such as the zoetrope and the praxinoscope, which would eventually lead to the development of motion pictures.
Versions of a Anorthoscope
The following are a few an alternates versions of the Phenakistiscope. The anorthoscope is considered to be a predecessor of the phenakistiscope.
Illusions like the Anorthoscope
The Anorthoscope is a mechanical optical illusion. It creates the illusion of motion by rapidly displaying a sequence of still images in quick succession, exploiting the persistence of vision phenomenon.
The Anorthoscope is considered one of the earliest forms of animation and helped to lay the foundation for the development of cinema as we know it today.
By creating the illusion of motion through the rapid display of still images, the Anorthoscope demonstrates how the brain processes visual information and creates the perception of motion.
The Anorthoscope works by exploiting the persistence of vision, which is the phenomenon where the brain continues to perceive an image for a short period of time after it has been removed from view.
Persistence of vision is a phenomenon where the brain continues to perceive an image for a short period of time after it has been removed from view. This is due to the fact that the neurons in the visual system take a brief amount of time to process an image before they reset. As a result, if an image is presented rapidly enough, the brain will perceive a continuous image even though the individual images are no longer present.
For example, when watching a movie or animation, the individual frames are presented in rapid succession, creating the illusion of continuous motion. This is because the brain perceives the brief interval between each frame as a single, continuous image.
The persistence of vision phenomenon is important in many areas of visual perception, including motion perception, the perception of images in sequence, and the experience of visual illusions such as the Zoetrope.
Understanding the persistence of vision is essential for explaining the way that our visual system processes information and shapes our perception of the world around us.
Some related illusions include the following:
The phenakistiscope is a mechanical optical illusion device that creates the illusion of motion by rapidly displaying a sequence of still images in quick succession.
It consists of a disk with slits around the circumference and a series of still images placed on the disk. When the disk is rotated in front of a mirror, the still images are reflected through the slits and appear to animate and move.
The phenakistiscope was invented in the early 19th century and was one of the earliest forms of animation. It was a precursor to motion picture technology and helped to lay the foundation for the development of cinema as we know it today.
The phenakistiscope is considered a historical artifact and is often featured in museums and exhibitions showcasing the history of animation and visual effects.
Phenakistiscope
A Thaumatrope is a simple optical toy that was popular in the 19th century.
It consists of a disk with a picture or design on each side that is attached to two strings. When the strings are spun rapidly, the two pictures appear to merge into a single, continuous image.
The Stepping Feet Illusion is a visual illusion that involves an optical illusion of the apparent movement of a static image.
The kinetic depth effect refers to the perception of three-dimensional (3D) depth and solidity in an object that is produced by its motion, relative to the observer.
The spinning dancer illusion is a visual illusion that depicts a silhouette of a dancer spinning clockwise or counterclockwise. The direction of the dancer’s spin can appear to change depending on the viewer’s perception.
The beta movement illusion is a visual illusion in which a series of static images, such as a filmstrip or flipbook, appears to be in motion when viewed in rapid succession.
In Peripheral Drift illusions, the image or pattern appears to move or drift, even though it is actually stationary. This movement is caused by the brain’s attempt to interpret the image or pattern, which is often complex or ambiguous. The movement can be in any direction, such as horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.
From Wikimedia Commons
The rotating snakes is a peripheral drift illusion that consists of a grid of shapes, with some of them appearing to be rotating or undulating. The illusion is created by the interaction of the shapes with the neural processing of the visual system.
A Version of Rotating Snakes
With Illusory motion, static image appears to be moving due to the interaction of color contrasts, shapes, and position
Troxler’s fading, also known as Troxler’s effect, is a phenomenon in which a stationary visual stimulus eventually disappears from perception, even though it is still present in the visual field.
The stroboscopic effect is a visual phenomenon that occurs when a rapidly flashing light is used to illuminate a moving object.
The object appears to be frozen in a single position, even though it is in motion. This is because the flashing light is only on for a brief period of time, and the object is only visible when the light is on.
The Scintillating Grid Illusion, in which a grid of black and white squares appears to pulsate or “breathe” when viewed from the periphery of the image.
The Motion Aftereffect (also known as the Waterfall Illusion) is a visual illusion experienced after viewing a moving visual stimulus, and then fixating on a stationary stimulus. The stationary stimulus appears to move in the opposite direction to the original stimulus.
For example, fixate on the moving image below for several seconds, then shift you gaze to another surface like a plain wall. You should still be able to see the motion on the static surface.
The Café Wall Illusion is a visual illusion that is created by a grid of alternating light and dark horizontal and vertical lines. The lines appear to be bent or tilted, even though they are actually straight.
Discovery of the Anorthoscope
The Anorthoscope was invented in 1829 by Joseph Plateau.
Plateau was a physicist who became interested in the study of optics and the way the human brain processes visual information. He discovered the persistence of vision phenomenon and began experimenting with mechanical devices that could exploit this phenomenon to create the illusion of motion.
Plateau’s invention of the phenakistiscope was one of the earliest forms of animation and helped to lay the foundation for the development of cinema as we know it today.
Joseph Plateau was a Belgian physicist and professor who lived in the 19th century. He is best known for his contributions to the study of optics and for inventing the phenakistiscope, a mechanical optical illusion device that creates the illusion of motion by rapidly displaying a sequence of still images in quick succession. Plateau’s invention of the phenakistiscope was one of the earliest forms of animation and helped to lay the foundation for the development of cinema as we know it today.
Plateau’s scientific work focused on the study of the human visual system and the way the brain processes visual information. He was one of the first scientists to discover the persistence of vision phenomenon and he used this discovery to develop the phenakistiscope. Plateau’s work has been recognized as an important contribution to the field of optics and the study of vision, and his invention of the phenakistiscope is considered a significant milestone in the history of animation and motion picture technology. Despite his many contributions to the field, Plateau is not as well-known as some of his contemporaries, such as Eadweard Muybridge, who made important contributions to the study of motion.
Anamorphosis is a technique in art and optics that involves creating an image that appears distorted or irregular when viewed from one perspective, but appears normal or regular when viewed from another perspective or with the use of a specialized tool, such as a mirror or a cylindrical lens.
In anamorphic art, the image is typically drawn or painted in such a way that it is only recognizable when viewed from a specific angle or with the use of a specialized tool. The technique was widely used in the Renaissance period, particularly in the field of cartography, to represent three-dimensional objects on two-dimensional surfaces.
Anamorphosis can also be used to create optical illusions, where the distorted image appears to change or move when viewed from different angles. The technique is used in various fields, including art, architecture, and engineering, and provides a way to create images that are impossible to represent using conventional perspective techniques.
Overall, anamorphosis is a fascinating and versatile technique that demonstrates the interplay between art and science, and highlights the importance of perception and the role that context and perspective play in shaping our interpretation of the world.
Anamorphosis works by creating an image that is distorted or irregular when viewed from one perspective, but appears normal or regular when viewed from another perspective or with the use of a specialized tool, such as a mirror or a cylindrical lens.
The basic idea behind anamorphosis is to manipulate the scale of the image elements along one or more dimensions in such a way that the image appears distorted or irregular when viewed from a particular perspective. To create an anamorphic image, the artist must carefully adjust the position and size of the image elements to account for the distortion that will be introduced by the viewing angle or tool.
For example, an anamorphic image may be created by projecting an image onto a flat surface at an angle, such that the image appears distorted when viewed directly from the front. When viewed from a specific angle or with the use of a specialized tool, such as a cylindrical mirror, the image appears normal or regular.
Famous Anamorphosis Artists
Anamorphosis is a fascinating and versatile technique that demonstrates the interplay between art and science, and highlights the importance of perception and the role that context and perspective play in shaping our interpretation of the world.
Anamorphosis has been used by various artists throughout history, including some of the most famous and influential artists of their time. Here are a few notable artists who have used anamorphosis in their work:
Leonardo da Vinci: Da Vinci was one of the earliest artists to experiment with anamorphosis and is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of the technique. He used anamorphosis in his sketches and drawings to represent three-dimensional objects on two-dimensional surfaces.
Hans Holbein the Younger: Holbein was a German artist who lived in the 16th century and was known for his portraits, paintings, and drawings. He used anamorphosis in his portraits to create striking and unusual effects, and many of his anamorphic paintings are still regarded as some of the finest examples of the technique.
René Magritte: Magritte was a Belgian surrealist artist who was known for his paintings, illustrations, and collages. He used anamorphosis in his paintings to create illusions and to challenge the viewer’s perception of reality.
M. C. Escher: Escher was a Dutch graphic artist who is widely regarded as one of the greatest artists of the 20th century. He used anamorphosis in his prints, lithographs, and drawings to create impossible objects and to challenge the viewer’s perception of space and time.
These are just a few of the many artists who have used anamorphosis in their work, and there are many other artists who have also explored this fascinating technique. Overall, anamorphosis is a powerful tool for artists to create striking and unusual effects, to challenge the viewer’s perception, and to demonstrate the interplay between art and science.
Versions of Anamorphosis
The following are some examples of Anamorphosis
Illusions like Anamorphosis
Some similar illusions are as follows:
Trompe-l’œil is a French term that means “trick the eye.”
It refers to a style of art that uses realistic depictions of three-dimensional objects to create the illusion of depth and a life-like appearance.
Trompe-l’œil paintings and murals are often used to create the illusion of an extended space or to make a room appear larger than it actually is.
Trompe-L’œil
Forced perspective is a technique used in photography, architecture, and other visual arts to manipulate the perception of the size and distance of objects.
It creates the illusion of a larger or smaller object, or of one that is closer or farther away, by carefully controlling the angles, proportions, and placement of objects in the scene.
Forced Perspective
The Ponzo illusion is a type of visual illusion in which a pair of parallel lines, or a horizontal bar, appear to be of different lengths based on the presence of a converging or diverging set of lines, often resembling the converging parallel lines of a road or railway track, placed above and below them.
The Ponzo Illusion
The Ebbinghaus illusion: This illusion is similar to the Delboeuf illusion but in this case the central circle appears larger when surrounded by smaller circles and smaller when surrounded by larger circles.
The Delboeuf illusion is a perceptual illusion in which the perceived size of a circle is affected by the size of the surrounding circles.
The Occlusion illusion is a visual illusion where an object that is partially obscured by another object appears to be farther away than it actually is. This illusion is caused by the brain’s interpretation of the relative depth of the objects based on their relative size and position. This phenomenon is based on the visual cues that the brain uses to perceive depth, such as relative size, position, and overlap.
The Müller-Lyer illusion is a classic example of size-contrast illusion, in which two lines of equal length appear to be different due to the presence of arrowheads or fins at the end of the lines.
The moon illusions involves the perception of the Moon appearing larger when it is near the horizon compared to when it is high in the sky.
The Kanizsa triangle is a visual illusion that was first described by the Italian psychologist Gaetano Kanizsa in 1955. The illusion consists of a white equilateral triangle that appears to be surrounded by three Pac-Man-like shapes, which are black and have white crescents facing inwards.
All these illusions demonstrate that the perceived size of an object can be influenced by the context in which it is presented, and that the brain uses the size of the surrounding objects as a reference point to judge the size of the central object.
Discovery of Anamorphosis
The concept of anamorphosis has a long history and has been used by artists and scientists for many centuries. It is not clear who specifically discovered the technique, as it likely evolved over time and was developed independently by different artists and scientists in various cultures.
However, the Renaissance period marked a major period of experimentation and development in the use of anamorphosis in art and optics, and many of the most famous artists of the time, such as Leonardo da Vinci and Hans Holbein the Younger, made important contributions to the development of the technique.
Overall, it is difficult to credit the discovery of anamorphosis to a single individual, as it is likely a result of the collective work and experimentation of many artists and scientists over a long period of time.
Figure ground illusions are a type of perceptual illusion that play with our ability to distinguish between the figure, or the object of focus, and the ground, or the background.
Figure ground illusions work by creating ambiguity or conflict in the visual information that the brain receives, leading to an instability in our perception of what is the figure and what is the background.
As a result, our perception of the figure and the background can alternate, or both can be perceived simultaneously, creating an illusion.
Figure-ground illusions work by exploiting the way our visual system organizes visual information into distinct objects and backgrounds. Our brain is naturally wired to identify objects and separate them from the background, and it uses various cues, such as edges, color, and texture, to do this. In a figure-ground illusion, the information presented creates an ambiguity or conflict in the visual cues, leading to an instability in our perception of what is the figure and what is the background.
One way that figure-ground illusions work is by creating a clash between the global and local processing of visual information. Our visual system processes information both globally, taking into account the overall configuration of the image, and locally, focusing on the details of the individual elements. In a figure-ground illusion, the global and local processing systems can come into conflict, leading to an instability in the perception of the figure and the background.
Another way that figure-ground illusions work is by creating an ambiguity in the perceptual organization of the visual information. For example, in the Rubin vase illusion, the black lines that form the vase could also be perceived as the spaces between the black shapes, creating an ambiguity about what is the figure and what is the background.
Overall, figure-ground illusions demonstrate the importance of context and the active role that our brain plays in shaping our perception of the world. They highlight the dynamic nature of perception and show how our brain can rapidly switch between different interpretations of the same information.
Versions of Figure Ground Illusions
The following are some alternate versions of Figure Ground Illusions:
From Wikimedia Commons Is it an image of the US State Idaho or a person’s face?
Illusions like Figure Ground Illusions
In a figure-ground illusion, the brain receives ambiguous or conflicting information about what is the figure and what is the background, leading to an instability in the perception of the two. As a result, the figure and the background can appear to switch or can be perceived simultaneously, creating an illusion. Figure-ground illusions demonstrate the dynamic nature of perception and the active role that our brain plays in constructing a meaningful representation of the world based on the available sensory information.
Ambiguous illusions are a type of perceptual illusion that involve the presentation of information that can be interpreted in multiple ways, leading to conflicting or unstable perceptions. The brain is faced with an ambiguity, or uncertainty, about what to interpret as the figure and what to interpret as the background, leading to a switch between different interpretations of the same information.
In an ambiguous illusion, the same set of visual elements can be perceived in multiple ways, and the perception can switch rapidly and unpredictably between these interpretations. Some well-known examples of ambiguous illusions include the Rubin vase, the Necker cube, and the Schröder staircase.
Ambiguous illusions demonstrate the dynamic and active nature of perception, and highlight the importance of context and the role that our brain plays in shaping our interpretation of the world. They also provide valuable insights into the underlying mechanisms of visual perception and the way that the brain processes and interprets sensory information.
Some related illusions include the following:
The Rubin vase, also known as the Rubin face or the figure-ground vase, is a famous optical illusion in which the image of a vase can also be perceived as two faces in profile looking at each other.
The illusion is named after the Danish psychologist Edgar Rubin, who described it in his 1915 book “Visual Perception”.
The Rubin vase illustrates the principle of figure-ground perception, which is the ability of the human visual system to separate an object from its background.
The Rubin Vase Illusion
The duck-rabbit illusion is an optical illusion that is an image that can be perceived as either a duck or a rabbit depending on how the viewer looks at it.
The Necker cube is an optical illusion that features a simple wireframe drawing of a cube. The cube appears to switch back and forth between two different orientations.
The My Wife and My Mother-in-Law illusion is an optical illusion with an image of a young woman’s face that can also be perceived as an older woman’s face.
The Schröder Staircase is an optical illusion that features a drawing of a staircase. The staircase appears to be either ascending or descending, depending on how the brain interprets the angles of the lines.
From Wikimedia Commons
The impossible cube is an optical illusion that depicts a three-dimensional object that is physically impossible to construct.
The Penrose triangle, also known as the Penrose tribar, is an optical illusion that depicts a three-dimensional object that is physically impossible to construct.
The impossible trident is a three-pronged impossible shape resembling a trident. It is usually depicted as a three-pronged fork with each prong appearing to be a continuation of the next, creating an impossible shape.
From Wikimedia Commons
The spinning dancer illusion is a visual illusion that depicts a silhouette of a dancer spinning clockwise or counterclockwise. The direction of the dancer’s spin can appear to change depending on the viewer’s perception
From Wikimedia Commons
The Monroe-Einstein illusion works by playing with the viewer’s expectations about the relationships between the features of the faces and the viewer’s sense of facial proportions.
Discovery of the Rubin Vase Illusion
The concept of figure-ground perception is generally attributed to the Danish psychologist Edgar Rubin,
Rubin introduced the concept in 1915 in his book “Visuelle Figuren” (Visual Figures), where he described the principle of figure-ground organization and its role in shaping our perception of the world. Rubin’s work laid the foundation for the study of figure-ground perception and had a profound impact on the field of psychology and the study of visual perception.
Rubin’s contribution to the study of figure-ground perception is widely recognized and his name is often associated with the concept. However, it’s worth noting that the idea of figure-ground perception has roots in the work of other psychologists and artists, who explored the role of visual perception in shaping our interpretation of the world. Nevertheless, Rubin is widely credited with introducing the concept of figure-ground perception and advancing our understanding of its role in shaping our perception.
Edgar Rubin was a Danish psychologist and author. He is best known for his work on visual perception and his 1915 book “Visual Perception” in which he described the Rubin vase illusion.
Rubin was born in 1882 and received his PhD in psychology from the University of Copenhagen in 1911.
He worked as a professor of psychology at the University of Copenhagen and later at the University of Aarhus.
He was a leading figure in the field of perception research and also made contributions to the study of memory and attention. Rubin died in 1948.
The Shepard table illusion is a type of perceptual illusion that is created by a table-like structure that appears to change its shape depending on the viewing angle.
The table is designed to have sides that are slanted, which creates an ambiguity in the visual perception of the object and makes it appear to change shape from a square to a rectangle or vice versa as the viewpoint changes.
The Shepard table illusion is a classic example of how the brain uses perceptual cues to form a coherent interpretation of the world and highlights the importance of context in shaping our perception.
The Shepard table illusion works by exploiting the way our visual system processes depth and perspective. When we look at an object, our brain uses various cues, such as the size, position, and orientation of objects, to perceive its shape and position in three-dimensional space. In the Shepard table illusion, the slanted sides of the table create conflicting cues that lead to a perceptual ambiguity and an illusion of shape change.
One possible explanation of the illusion is that our visual system assumes that parallel lines recede into the distance, forming a trapezoidal shape that is wider at the bottom than at the top. In the Shepard table, the sides are slanted such that the top edge appears to be closer to the viewer, while the bottom edge appears to be further away. This creates a conflict between the perceived shape and the expected shape of the table, leading to an illusion of shape change.
Overall, the Shepard table illusion demonstrates the importance of context and the role of expectations in shaping our perception. It shows how our brain uses the information it has about the world to make predictions about what it is likely to see, and how these predictions can influence our perception of objects.
Versions of the Shepard Tables Illusion
The following are some other versions of the Shepard Tables Illusion:
Illusions like the Shepard Tables Illusion
The Shepard table illusion is a type of geometrical-optical illusion.
This type of illusion is characterized by the manipulation of basic geometric shapes, such as lines and shapes, to create a perceptual discrepancy between what is physically present and what is perceived.
Geometrical-optical illusions play with our visual system’s ability to perceive depth, size, and shape and often involve conflicting cues or assumptions about the world that our brain makes based on past experience.
Some similar illusions are as follows:
The Leaning Tower Illusion is an optical illusion that involves the perception of the tilt angle of a tower or building.
In this illusion, although the images are duplicates, one has the impression that the tower on the right leans more, as if photographed from a different angle.
Forced perspective is a technique used in photography, architecture, and other visual arts to manipulate the perception of the size and distance of objects.
It creates the illusion of a larger or smaller object, or of one that is closer or farther away, by carefully controlling the angles, proportions, and placement of objects in the scene.
The Ponzo illusion is a type of visual illusion in which a pair of parallel lines, or a horizontal bar, appear to be of different lengths based on the presence of a converging or diverging set of lines, often resembling the converging parallel lines of a road or railway track, placed above and below them.
The Ponzo Illusion
The Ebbinghaus illusion: This illusion is similar to the Delboeuf illusion but in this case the central circle appears larger when surrounded by smaller circles and smaller when surrounded by larger circles.
The Delboeuf illusion is a perceptual illusion in which the perceived size of a circle is affected by the size of the surrounding circles.
The Occlusion illusion is a visual illusion where an object that is partially obscured by another object appears to be farther away than it actually is. This illusion is caused by the brain’s interpretation of the relative depth of the objects based on their relative size and position. This phenomenon is based on the visual cues that the brain uses to perceive depth, such as relative size, position, and overlap.
The Müller-Lyer illusion is a classic example of size-contrast illusion, in which two lines of equal length appear to be different due to the presence of arrowheads or fins at the end of the lines.
The moon illusions involves the perception of the Moon appearing larger when it is near the horizon compared to when it is high in the sky.
The Kanizsa triangle is a visual illusion that was first described by the Italian psychologist Gaetano Kanizsa in 1955. The illusion consists of a white equilateral triangle that appears to be surrounded by three Pac-Man-like shapes, which are black and have white crescents facing inwards.
All these illusions demonstrate that the perceived size of an object can be influenced by the context in which it is presented, and that the brain uses the size of the surrounding objects as a reference point to judge the size of the central object.
Discovery of the Shepard Tables Illusion
This illusion was first described by Roger Shepard and demonstrates how our perception can be influenced by the context in which an object is presented.
Shepard was a pioneer in the field of cognitive science and made important contributions to our understanding of visual perception, mental representation, and spatial cognition. The Shepard table illusion is one of many perceptual illusions that Shepard described and studied over the course of his career, and it remains an important demonstration of the role of context and expectations in shaping our perception of the world.
Roger Shepard was an American psychologist and cognitive scientist. He was born in 1929 and passed away in 2016.
He was a professor of psychology at Stanford University for many years and was one of the pioneers in the field of cognitive science. Shepard made important contributions to our understanding of human cognition, including visual perception, mental representation, and spatial cognition.
He was best known for his work on the structure of mental representations and the way in which they can be transformed and manipulated. Shepard was particularly interested in how our brain uses mental transformations to process information about the world and was a leading researcher in the field of cognitive psychology.
He received many awards and honors for his work and was widely recognized as one of the most influential psychologists of his generation.
The phenakistiscope is a mechanical optical illusion device that creates the illusion of motion by rapidly displaying a sequence of still images in quick succession.
It consists of a disk with slits around the circumference and a series of still images placed on the disk. When the disk is rotated in front of a mirror, the still images are reflected through the slits and appear to animate and move.
The phenakistiscope was invented in the early 19th century and was one of the earliest forms of animation. It was a precursor to motion picture technology and helped to lay the foundation for the development of cinema as we know it today.
The phenakistiscope is considered a historical artifact and is often featured in museums and exhibitions showcasing the history of animation and visual effects.
The phenakistiscope works by exploiting the persistence of vision, which is the phenomenon where the brain continues to see an image for a brief moment even after it has disappeared. When the phenakistiscope disk is rotated in front of a mirror, the still images on the disk are reflected through the slits and appear to animate and move.
Here’s a step-by-step explanation of how the phenakistiscope works:
A series of still images is placed on the disk of the phenakistiscope.
The disk is rotated in front of a mirror, so the still images are reflected through the slits in quick succession.
As the viewer looks at the reflection of the still images in the mirror, the brain combines the individual still images into a single, seamless moving image, creating the illusion of motion.
The speed at which the disk is rotated and the frequency at which the still images are reflected through the slits are crucial to the success of the illusion. If the rotation is too slow or the still images are not reflected frequently enough, the illusion of motion will not be created.
Versions of a Phenakistiscope
The following are a few an alternates versions of the Phenakistiscope.
Illusions like the Phenakistiscope
The phenakistiscope is a mechanical optical illusion. It creates the illusion of motion by rapidly displaying a sequence of still images in quick succession, exploiting the persistence of vision phenomenon.
The phenakistiscope is considered one of the earliest forms of animation and helped to lay the foundation for the development of cinema as we know it today.
By creating the illusion of motion through the rapid display of still images, the phenakistiscope demonstrates how the brain processes visual information and creates the perception of motion.
The phenakistiscope works by exploiting the persistence of vision, which is the phenomenon where the brain continues to perceive an image for a short period of time after it has been removed from view.
Persistence of vision is a phenomenon where the brain continues to perceive an image for a short period of time after it has been removed from view. This is due to the fact that the neurons in the visual system take a brief amount of time to process an image before they reset. As a result, if an image is presented rapidly enough, the brain will perceive a continuous image even though the individual images are no longer present.
For example, when watching a movie or animation, the individual frames are presented in rapid succession, creating the illusion of continuous motion. This is because the brain perceives the brief interval between each frame as a single, continuous image.
The persistence of vision phenomenon is important in many areas of visual perception, including motion perception, the perception of images in sequence, and the experience of visual illusions such as the Zoetrope.
Understanding the persistence of vision is essential for explaining the way that our visual system processes information and shapes our perception of the world around us.
Some related illusions include the following:
A Thaumatrope is a simple optical toy that was popular in the 19th century.
It consists of a disk with a picture or design on each side that is attached to two strings. When the strings are spun rapidly, the two pictures appear to merge into a single, continuous image.
The Stepping Feet Illusion is a visual illusion that involves an optical illusion of the apparent movement of a static image.
The kinetic depth effect refers to the perception of three-dimensional (3D) depth and solidity in an object that is produced by its motion, relative to the observer.
The spinning dancer illusion is a visual illusion that depicts a silhouette of a dancer spinning clockwise or counterclockwise. The direction of the dancer’s spin can appear to change depending on the viewer’s perception.
The beta movement illusion is a visual illusion in which a series of static images, such as a filmstrip or flipbook, appears to be in motion when viewed in rapid succession.
In Peripheral Drift illusions, the image or pattern appears to move or drift, even though it is actually stationary. This movement is caused by the brain’s attempt to interpret the image or pattern, which is often complex or ambiguous. The movement can be in any direction, such as horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.
From Wikimedia Commons
The rotating snakes is a peripheral drift illusion that consists of a grid of shapes, with some of them appearing to be rotating or undulating. The illusion is created by the interaction of the shapes with the neural processing of the visual system.
A Version of Rotating Snakes
With Illusory motion, static image appears to be moving due to the interaction of color contrasts, shapes, and position
Troxler’s fading, also known as Troxler’s effect, is a phenomenon in which a stationary visual stimulus eventually disappears from perception, even though it is still present in the visual field.
The stroboscopic effect is a visual phenomenon that occurs when a rapidly flashing light is used to illuminate a moving object.
The object appears to be frozen in a single position, even though it is in motion. This is because the flashing light is only on for a brief period of time, and the object is only visible when the light is on.
The Scintillating Grid Illusion, in which a grid of black and white squares appears to pulsate or “breathe” when viewed from the periphery of the image.
The Motion Aftereffect (also known as the Waterfall Illusion) is a visual illusion experienced after viewing a moving visual stimulus, and then fixating on a stationary stimulus. The stationary stimulus appears to move in the opposite direction to the original stimulus.
For example, fixate on the moving image below for several seconds, then shift you gaze to another surface like a plain wall. You should still be able to see the motion on the static surface.
The Café Wall Illusion is a visual illusion that is created by a grid of alternating light and dark horizontal and vertical lines. The lines appear to be bent or tilted, even though they are actually straight.
Discovery of the Phenakistiscope
The phenakistiscope was independently invented by two Belgian inventors, Joseph Plateau and Simon von Stampfer, in the early 19th century.
Plateau was a physicist who became interested in the study of optics and the way the human brain processes visual information. He discovered the persistence of vision phenomenon and began experimenting with mechanical devices that could exploit this phenomenon to create the illusion of motion.
Plateau’s invention of the phenakistiscope was one of the earliest forms of animation and helped to lay the foundation for the development of cinema as we know it today.
Joseph Plateau was a Belgian physicist and professor who lived in the 19th century. He is best known for his contributions to the study of optics and for inventing the phenakistiscope, a mechanical optical illusion device that creates the illusion of motion by rapidly displaying a sequence of still images in quick succession. Plateau’s invention of the phenakistiscope was one of the earliest forms of animation and helped to lay the foundation for the development of cinema as we know it today.
Plateau’s scientific work focused on the study of the human visual system and the way the brain processes visual information. He was one of the first scientists to discover the persistence of vision phenomenon and he used this discovery to develop the phenakistiscope. Plateau’s work has been recognized as an important contribution to the field of optics and the study of vision, and his invention of the phenakistiscope is considered a significant milestone in the history of animation and motion picture technology. Despite his many contributions to the field, Plateau is not as well-known as some of his contemporaries, such as Eadweard Muybridge, who made important contributions to the study of motion.
Von Stampfer, a mathematician and inventor, also independently came up with the idea of the phenakistiscope and is credited with popularizing the device in Germany.
Simon von Stampfer was a Belgian mathematician and inventor who lived in the early 19th century.
He is best known for independently inventing the phenakistiscope, a mechanical optical illusion device that creates the illusion of motion by rapidly displaying a sequence of still images in quick succession.
Stampfer’s invention of the phenakistiscope was one of the earliest forms of animation and helped to lay the foundation for the development of cinema as we know it today. He is also credited with popularizing the device in Germany, where it became a popular form of entertainment.
Despite his contributions to the field of animation and the development of motion picture technology, Stampfer is not as well-known as other inventors and scientists of his time, such as William George Horner, who invented the zoetrope, or Eadweard Muybridge, who made important contributions to the study of motion.
A zoetrope is a mechanical illusion device that creates the illusion of motion by rapidly displaying a sequence of still images in quick succession.
It consists of a cylinder with slits around the circumference and a series of still images placed inside. When the cylinder is rotated, the still images are viewed through the slits and appear to animate and move.
The zoetrope was one of the earliest forms of animation and was invented in the late 19th century. It was a precursor to motion picture technology and helped to lay the foundation for the development of cinema as we know it today. The zoetrope is considered a historical artifact and is often featured in museums and exhibitions showcasing the history of animation and visual effects.
A zoetrope works by exploiting the persistence of vision, which is the phenomenon where the brain continues to see an image for a brief moment even after it has disappeared. When a zoetrope is rotated, the still images inside are viewed through the slits in quick succession. As the viewer looks through the slits, the brain combines the individual still images into a single, seamless moving image, creating the illusion of motion.
Here’s a step-by-step explanation of how a zoetrope works:
A series of still images is placed inside the cylinder of the zoetrope.
The cylinder is rotated at a high speed, so the still images are displayed through the slits in quick succession.
As the viewer looks through the slits, the brain combines the individual still images into a single moving image, creating the illusion of motion.
The speed at which the cylinder is rotated and the frequency at which the still images are displayed through the slits are crucial to the success of the illusion. If the rotation is too slow or the still images are not displayed frequently enough, the illusion of motion will not be created.
Versions of a Zoetrope
The following are a few an alternates versions Zoetrope.
Illusions like the Zoetrope
A zoetrope is a type of mechanical optical illusion. It creates the illusion of motion by rapidly displaying a sequence of still images in quick succession, exploiting the persistence of vision phenomenon.
The zoetrope is considered an early form of animation and helped to lay the foundation for the development of cinema as we know it today. By creating the illusion of motion through the rapid display of still images, the zoetrope demonstrates how the brain processes visual information and creates the perception of motion.
The Zoetrope works by exploiting the persistence of vision, which is the phenomenon where the brain continues to perceive an image for a short period of time after it has been removed from view.
Persistence of vision is a phenomenon where the brain continues to perceive an image for a short period of time after it has been removed from view. This is due to the fact that the neurons in the visual system take a brief amount of time to process an image before they reset. As a result, if an image is presented rapidly enough, the brain will perceive a continuous image even though the individual images are no longer present.
For example, when watching a movie or animation, the individual frames are presented in rapid succession, creating the illusion of continuous motion. This is because the brain perceives the brief interval between each frame as a single, continuous image.
The persistence of vision phenomenon is important in many areas of visual perception, including motion perception, the perception of images in sequence, and the experience of visual illusions such as the Zoetrope.
Understanding the persistence of vision is essential for explaining the way that our visual system processes information and shapes our perception of the world around us.
Some related illusions include the following:
A Thaumatrope is a simple optical toy that was popular in the 19th century.
It consists of a disk with a picture or design on each side that is attached to two strings. When the strings are spun rapidly, the two pictures appear to merge into a single, continuous image.
The Stepping Feet Illusion is a visual illusion that involves an optical illusion of the apparent movement of a static image.
The kinetic depth effect refers to the perception of three-dimensional (3D) depth and solidity in an object that is produced by its motion, relative to the observer.
The spinning dancer illusion is a visual illusion that depicts a silhouette of a dancer spinning clockwise or counterclockwise. The direction of the dancer’s spin can appear to change depending on the viewer’s perception.
The beta movement illusion is a visual illusion in which a series of static images, such as a filmstrip or flipbook, appears to be in motion when viewed in rapid succession.
In Peripheral Drift illusions, the image or pattern appears to move or drift, even though it is actually stationary. This movement is caused by the brain’s attempt to interpret the image or pattern, which is often complex or ambiguous. The movement can be in any direction, such as horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.
From Wikimedia Commons
The rotating snakes is a peripheral drift illusion that consists of a grid of shapes, with some of them appearing to be rotating or undulating. The illusion is created by the interaction of the shapes with the neural processing of the visual system.
A Version of Rotating Snakes
With Illusory motion, static image appears to be moving due to the interaction of color contrasts, shapes, and position
Troxler’s fading, also known as Troxler’s effect, is a phenomenon in which a stationary visual stimulus eventually disappears from perception, even though it is still present in the visual field.
The stroboscopic effect is a visual phenomenon that occurs when a rapidly flashing light is used to illuminate a moving object.
The object appears to be frozen in a single position, even though it is in motion. This is because the flashing light is only on for a brief period of time, and the object is only visible when the light is on.
The Scintillating Grid Illusion, in which a grid of black and white squares appears to pulsate or “breathe” when viewed from the periphery of the image.
The Motion Aftereffect (also known as the Waterfall Illusion) is a visual illusion experienced after viewing a moving visual stimulus, and then fixating on a stationary stimulus. The stationary stimulus appears to move in the opposite direction to the original stimulus.
For example, fixate on the moving image below for several seconds, then shift you gaze to another surface like a plain wall. You should still be able to see the motion on the static surface.
The Café Wall Illusion is a visual illusion that is created by a grid of alternating light and dark horizontal and vertical lines. The lines appear to be bent or tilted, even though they are actually straight.
Discovery of the Zoetrope
The zoetrope was created by William George Horner, a British mathematician and inventor, in 1834.
Horner was inspired by the phenomenon of persistence of vision and sought to create a device that would demonstrate how the brain processes visual information to create the perception of motion.
He came up with the idea of the zoetrope, a cylinder with slits around the circumference that displays a sequence of still images in quick succession to create the illusion of motion.
Horner’s invention was one of the earliest forms of animation and helped to lay the foundation for the development of cinema as we know it today.
William George Horner was a British mathematician and inventor born in 1786.
He is best known for inventing the zoetrope, a mechanical illusion device that creates the illusion of motion by rapidly displaying a sequence of still images in quick succession.
Horner was a prominent figure in the field of mathematics and was particularly interested in the study of optics and the way the human brain processes visual information.
His invention of the zoetrope demonstrated how the brain creates the perception of motion by combining individual still images into a single, seamless moving image.
Horner’s work was influential in the development of cinema and helped to lay the foundation for the motion picture industry.
A mechanical optical illusion where pieces which can be rearranged to show different versions that have different interpretations including more/less or smaller/larger pieces.
The Vanishing puzzle works by exploiting the way the human visual system processes and interprets visual information.
Mechanical illusions are optical illusions that involve the use of moving parts or mechanisms to create the illusion. T
hey often rely on the viewer’s persistence of vision and the way our brains perceive motion. Some examples of mechanical illusions include the zoetrope, the praxinoscope, the phenakistoscope, and flip books. These illusions have been popular for centuries and continue to captivate audiences of all ages with their ability to trick the eye and create the illusion of movement.
Versions of the Vanishing Puzzle
The following is are some examples of Vanishing Puzzle designed to show how they work:
Missing Square
Missing Square Puzzle – Solution Shown
Illusions like the Vanishing Puzzle
Some related illusions include the following:
The missing square puzzle is a visual illusion that involves a square with a smaller square removed from one of its corners.
The puzzle is presented in such a way that the surrounding rectangles appear to be the same size, but when the lines of the squares are measured, it becomes clear that they are not.
Missing Square Puzzle
Illusory contours are created by the brain’s interpretation of visual information, such as the arrangement and contrast of lines and shapes in the visual field.
The Kanizsa Triangle
The Muller-Lyer illusion: an illusion in which two lines of the same length appear to be of different lengths due to the presence of arrowheads at the ends of the lines.
The Poggendorff illusion: an illusion in which two lines that are parallel in reality appear to be skewed or converging due to the presence of a third shape in the foreground.
The Café Wall illusion: an illusion in which the lines that form a tiled wall appear to be skewed or distorted due to the presence of contrasting colored tiles.
The Zöllner illusion: an illusion in which parallel lines appear to be skewed or converging due to the presence of intersecting lines at an angle.
The Ebbinghaus illusion: This illusion involves circles of different sizes, but with the same-sized circles placed close to each other. The brain perceives the smaller circles as being larger when they are placed next to larger circles.
The T illusion: This illusion involves a T-shaped figure with a horizontal bar and a vertical bar. The brain perceives the vertical bar as being longer than the horizontal bar, even though they are the same length.
Moon illusion: This illusion involves the perception of the Moon appearing larger when it is near the horizon compared to when it is high in the sky.
Ponzo illusion: This illusion involves the perception of an object appearing larger or smaller depending on the size of the surrounding context.
All these illusions work by exploiting the way the brain processes visual information and the way it interprets the relationship between different elements in an image. Illusory contours are thought to be created by the activity of neurons that respond selectively to edges and contours in the visual field, which can be influenced by different visual cues.
Discovery of the Vanishing Puzzle
The origin of theVanishing Puzzle is unknown and its creator is not credited.
The puzzle has been widely used in psychology and neuroscience research to study visual perception and the underlying mechanisms of size constancy.
The puzzle has been used by researchers to investigate the importance of context in visual perception and to demonstrate the limitations of our visual system.
The Vanishing Puzzle is one of many optical illusions that have been used to further our understanding of how the brain processes and interprets visual information.
Size constancy illusions like the Missing Square Puzzle a form of the Vanishing Puzzle have been studied by a number of psychologists and neuroscientists, and the discovery of these illusions is often attributed to the work of Gestalt psychologists in the early 20th century.
Gestalt psychologists, such as Max Wertheimer, Kurt Koffka, and Wolfgang Köhler, were among the first to study how the brain processes and interprets visual information, and they made significant contributions to our understanding of size constancy.
They conducted a number of experiments that demonstrated the importance of context in visual perception and how our visual system can be easily influenced by the relationships between objects.
Their work laid the foundation for the continued study of size constancy illusions and the underlying mechanisms of visual perception.
