Optical Illusions!Optical Illusions!

Shamrock Optical IllusionShamrock Optical Illusion

Happy St. Patrick’s Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Check it out, Day! Check it out, some people see this, some people see this, some don't. If you some don't. If you stare at the stare at the shamrocks, you'll see shamrocks, you'll see that the big that the big shamrocks start to shamrocks start to move up, while the move up, while the small shamrocks small shamrocks appear to move appear to move down.down.

Gray DiamondsGray Diamonds

So, the diamonds on the bottom are much lighter than the diamonds on top, right? Wrong! Actually -- and you probably have guessed this optical illusion by now -- all the diamonds in the picture are exactly the same. It's our eyes playing tricks on us!

3-D boxes3-D boxes

Two illusions in one! Here's the most amazing thing about this eye trick: Not only do the cubes look 3D, but they'll reverse in your mind like the classic Necker Cube. Basically, the perspective will change. In this example, first you might see that you are looking down onto the green base of the cube. But give your mind a few seconds and the image may switch, so that now you're looking up at the cube.

3 D Optical Illusion3 D Optical Illusion

Not only does this optical illusion Not only does this optical illusion almost look a little almost look a little 3-d3-d, it would be , it would be virtually impossible to make! This virtually impossible to make! This is pretty crazy... Try This: Hold your is pretty crazy... Try This: Hold your hand or a piece of paper up over hand or a piece of paper up over one side of this crazy optical one side of this crazy optical illusion, and you'll see that the illusion, and you'll see that the other side looks just fine. Now other side looks just fine. Now move your hand to the other side... move your hand to the other side... it looks fine again. You'll also notice it looks fine again. You'll also notice that by doing this, the perspective that by doing this, the perspective on this wacky object will change. on this wacky object will change. This is another great one that This is another great one that would be fun to memorize, and would be fun to memorize, and sketch on the side of your notes as sketch on the side of your notes as you are in a long meeting or boring you are in a long meeting or boring class. If you put your hand on the class. If you put your hand on the right side of the picture, it looks right side of the picture, it looks like you're looking down at this like you're looking down at this object. Put your hand to the left, object. Put your hand to the left, and it'll look like you are looking up and it'll look like you are looking up at the at the 3 D optical illusion.3 D optical illusion.

Who is this man - negative Who is this man - negative after-image optical illusionafter-image optical illusion

Stare at the center of this man Stare at the center of this man for at least 30 seconds. You'll for at least 30 seconds. You'll know it's long enough when know it's long enough when you start to notice that the you start to notice that the white part of the image starts white part of the image starts to turn a little bit gray. Now, to turn a little bit gray. Now, relax your eyes and stare at a relax your eyes and stare at a blank white wall, or a white blank white wall, or a white area on your computer screen. area on your computer screen. You'll see a ghostly image of You'll see a ghostly image of this person. Do you recognize this person. Do you recognize him? He looks like he could be him? He looks like he could be a famous person, but I'm just a famous person, but I'm just not sure. I don't think it's Jim not sure. I don't think it's Jim Morrison from the Doors, but Morrison from the Doors, but it's hard to tell. Maybe his it's hard to tell. Maybe his ghost has come back to haunt ghost has come back to haunt us all!us all!

Upside Down Optical Illusion 2 Upside Down Optical Illusion 2 - Russian Czar - Russian Czar

Is this a dancing Is this a dancing clown with a seal clown with a seal and his assistant, and his assistant, or is it just a clown or is it just a clown face when you tilt face when you tilt your head to the your head to the side? It's both!side? It's both!

Crater Mound of Dirt?Crater Mound of Dirt?

Just a mound of dirt right. Just a mound of dirt right. Wait! Before you go to the Wait! Before you go to the next optical illusion, take next optical illusion, take some time to examine this some time to examine this picture. It isn't a mound picture. It isn't a mound like you may think but a like you may think but a giant crater. I think this giant crater. I think this picture actually comes picture actually comes from the moon. In reality, from the moon. In reality, this is not a giant mound of this is not a giant mound of dirt, but a crater. The dark dirt, but a crater. The dark area in front is actually the area in front is actually the shadow in the depression shadow in the depression where it was hit by a where it was hit by a meteor.meteor.

Crazy Cube - Just playing Crazy Cube - Just playing with your mindwith your mind

Here a crazy cube that Here a crazy cube that just plays with your just plays with your mind, doesn't it? First, mind, doesn't it? First, it appears as one cube it appears as one cube with a chunk cut out with a chunk cut out of the corner, then, of the corner, then, after you look at it after you look at it awhile the chunk awhile the chunk starts to look like a starts to look like a floating cube. floating cube.

Crazy Optical IllusionCrazy Optical Illusion

Looking for a crazy Looking for a crazy optical illusion... this is optical illusion... this is sure one of the craziest sure one of the craziest we've seen. Totally we've seen. Totally straight lines, but it straight lines, but it sure looks like this sure looks like this wacky checkerboard is wacky checkerboard is bulging right off the bulging right off the screen. If you don't screen. If you don't believe it, just hold a believe it, just hold a piece of paper up to piece of paper up to test the straightness of test the straightness of all the lines.all the lines.

Old and Young - Crazy Old and Young - Crazy Optical Illusion PaintingOptical Illusion Painting

The real beauty in this crazy The real beauty in this crazy picture is the attention to detail picture is the attention to detail that the artist took. Try this: that the artist took. Try this: squint your eyes a little and squint your eyes a little and you'll see that the man with the you'll see that the man with the guitar fades away, ad the old guitar fades away, ad the old man staring into the old man staring into the old woman's eyes really starts to woman's eyes really starts to pop out at you. pop out at you. Perhaps the scariest part of this Perhaps the scariest part of this illusion is that the younger illusion is that the younger woman has some really mean woman has some really mean sideburns! Look out!sideburns! Look out!Also, keep looking until you Also, keep looking until you find: the young girl, the tequila find: the young girl, the tequila bottle, and the giant vase! bottle, and the giant vase! Quite a crazy optical illusion Quite a crazy optical illusion painting!painting!

Four Eyes Two LipsFour Eyes Two Lips

Doesn't this make you think Doesn't this make you think that you have double vision? that you have double vision? It seems to make your eyes It seems to make your eyes skip around the face, it's hard skip around the face, it's hard to just look at the picture for to just look at the picture for what it is. This is because what it is. This is because humans can recognize a face humans can recognize a face easier than many other easier than many other objects, so when a face objects, so when a face doesn't actually look like it doesn't actually look like it should, we use our stigmas should, we use our stigmas (mental models) of what we (mental models) of what we know a face to be and our know a face to be and our mind tries to fill in the blanks. mind tries to fill in the blanks. In this optical illusion picture, In this optical illusion picture, our eyes fight with our mind our eyes fight with our mind as we try to decipher this as we try to decipher this tricky illusion! tricky illusion!

Find the facesFind the faces

Find the faces in Find the faces in this cool optical this cool optical illusion. There are illusion. There are two very prominent two very prominent faces, and many faces, and many more if you look at more if you look at it long enough. I it long enough. I think I see the face think I see the face of a cat too, but I of a cat too, but I might be seeing might be seeing things by now! things by now!

Hole in your handHole in your hand

Here's a great optical Here's a great optical illusion you can do with an illusion you can do with an empty paper towel tube. empty paper towel tube. Hold it next to your hand Hold it next to your hand and then let your eyes and then let your eyes relax, focus on the relax, focus on the distance and it will appear distance and it will appear that you are looking in a that you are looking in a hole in your hand! This is hole in your hand! This is one that kids will really one that kids will really like, so next time you are like, so next time you are looking for a new way to looking for a new way to entertain a child, try this entertain a child, try this technique! technique!

A horse is a horse unless A horse is a horse unless he's a frog?he's a frog?

A perfect example of an A perfect example of an ambiguous optical ambiguous optical illusion. This horse that illusion. This horse that is poking his head out is poking his head out of the stable looks of the stable looks pretty normal, but if pretty normal, but if you turn your head to you turn your head to the side you'll see a the side you'll see a frog sitting at the edge frog sitting at the edge of a pond! Things are of a pond! Things are not always as they not always as they seem! seem!

Another lesson in Another lesson in perspectiveperspective

This is another optical illusion This is another optical illusion where you’re eyes deceive you. where you’re eyes deceive you. Which line is bigger? Well, of Which line is bigger? Well, of course they're actually the same course they're actually the same length.length.How does this optical illusion work? How does this optical illusion work? This illusion works because things This illusion works because things in the distance would normally be in the distance would normally be smaller, but in a picture like this, smaller, but in a picture like this, the perspective of the road really the perspective of the road really plays tricks on your mind.plays tricks on your mind.This optical illusion also This optical illusion also demonstrates one point demonstrates one point perspective. Notice how all the perspective. Notice how all the vertical lines actually converge into vertical lines actually converge into a point off of the picture. All of the a point off of the picture. All of the other lines appear to be horizontal. other lines appear to be horizontal. Perspective is what makes pictures Perspective is what makes pictures look truly 3-d. But you knew that look truly 3-d. But you knew that from art class, didn't you?from art class, didn't you?

5 plus 4 is 9, right kids?5 plus 4 is 9, right kids?

I always hated measuring things in elementary I always hated measuring things in elementary school. They'd always count me off a point if I was school. They'd always count me off a point if I was just one millimeter off. At least I understood the just one millimeter off. At least I understood the concept and wasn't as far off as the guys next to concept and wasn't as far off as the guys next to me isme issing by inches. Sheesh. One millimeter....sing by inches. Sheesh. One millimeter....ANYWAY: Here's the answer to this optical illusion ANYWAY: Here's the answer to this optical illusion trick. At first glance, it looks like 1-5 is 5, plus 5-9 trick. At first glance, it looks like 1-5 is 5, plus 5-9 is 4 more, so what's the deal right? ACTUALLY, is 4 more, so what's the deal right? ACTUALLY, both distances are identical if you look again. We both distances are identical if you look again. We actually start the measuring at 1, so 5 - 1 is 4, actually start the measuring at 1, so 5 - 1 is 4, and 9-5 is 4. So of course, they're both equal and 9-5 is 4. So of course, they're both equal distance. distance.

The perfect bug illusionThe perfect bug illusion

We aren't the only ones We aren't the only ones who appreciate a good who appreciate a good optical illusion! Look at this optical illusion! Look at this flying insect, who's wing flying insect, who's wing tips look like a freshly tips look like a freshly broken branch! What a broken branch! What a great creative way to great creative way to escape being eaten by a escape being eaten by a bird. The science of bird. The science of evolution is an amazing evolution is an amazing thing. I think this is one of thing. I think this is one of the most perfect the most perfect insect/bug illusions that I insect/bug illusions that I have seen.have seen.

Different Shades of the Different Shades of the color Redcolor Red

This is another one of those illusions that is This is another one of those illusions that is so strong, so powerful, that you won't so strong, so powerful, that you won't believe me until you actually take two believe me until you actually take two pieces of paper, or your hands and cover up pieces of paper, or your hands and cover up part of the screen. part of the screen. Here's what you should do: First, notice that Here's what you should do: First, notice that the upper left shade of red looks much the upper left shade of red looks much lighter than the shade of red in the lower lighter than the shade of red in the lower right corner. Actually, this is NOT TRUE! The right corner. Actually, this is NOT TRUE! The red is exactly the same shade. Second, to red is exactly the same shade. Second, to prove my point, cover up the top three prove my point, cover up the top three "letters" with one hand, and the letter on the "letters" with one hand, and the letter on the bottom with your other hand. Yes, that's bottom with your other hand. Yes, that's exactly the same shade of red. exactly the same shade of red. How does this optical illusion work? As you How does this optical illusion work? As you have probably guessed, it's because of the have probably guessed, it's because of the black and white outlines in the characters. black and white outlines in the characters. When you put white next to any color, it will When you put white next to any color, it will bring out the lighter characteristics of that bring out the lighter characteristics of that color, as you can see in the example above. color, as you can see in the example above. The same is true with black, the more black The same is true with black, the more black next to something, the more that the black next to something, the more that the black will cause us to perceive the colors around it will cause us to perceive the colors around it as darker.as darker.

Upside Down Optical Illusion 2 –Upside Down Optical Illusion 2 –

Russian CzarRussian Czar Here is a great upside Here is a great upside down optical illusion. down optical illusion. These were used on These were used on propaganda cards and propaganda cards and posters in Russia in posters in Russia in the late 1800s. Isn't it the late 1800s. Isn't it amazing how this amazing how this looks like a guy with a looks like a guy with a totally normal face. totally normal face. Maybe the moustache Maybe the moustache is a little out of style is a little out of style these days, but hey! these days, but hey! Turn your head and Turn your head and believe in optical believe in optical illusions!illusions!

Weird Black LinesWeird Black Lines

This is an illusion that This is an illusion that you'll only see once. This is you'll only see once. This is because if you look at the because if you look at the funky black lines above funky black lines above and try to figure out what and try to figure out what they spell, at first, all you'll they spell, at first, all you'll see is gibberish. BUT once see is gibberish. BUT once you figure out what the you figure out what the black lines are actually black lines are actually telling you, your mind now telling you, your mind now knows what it is supposed knows what it is supposed to be and it will be very to be and it will be very difficult to look at them as difficult to look at them as just a set of black lines. just a set of black lines.

Find the face (in the Find the face (in the beans)beans)

What do you see?What do you see?

Rabbit duckRabbit duck

Impossible TridentImpossible Trident

The BirdThe Bird

This is a great trick. This is a great trick. It works everywhere. It works everywhere. When you read the When you read the the above box, did the above box, did you say the - the or you say the - the or did you see the did you see the "double the". If you "double the". If you you did, did you you did, did you catch it in this little catch it in this little blurb???blurb???

Schröder StairsSchröder Stairs

In this illustration, the In this illustration, the stairs should turn stairs should turn upside down during a upside down during a steady gaze. The wall steady gaze. The wall with the floating glass with the floating glass sphere will shift from sphere will shift from the foreground to the the foreground to the background. Of course, background. Of course, if you originally saw if you originally saw the background as the the background as the foreground, you will foreground, you will notice a change from notice a change from the background to the the background to the foreground.foreground.

The Zöllner IllusionThe Zöllner Illusion

Do you think that Do you think that these lines are these lines are parallel? They parallel? They are! But it doesn't are! But it doesn't look like it does look like it does it? We suppose it? We suppose that's what makes that's what makes it an illusion!!! it an illusion!!!

Dr Angry and Mr. Calm Dr Angry and Mr. Calm

Do you remember the story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde? Dr Jekyll, the famous scientist, is not Do you remember the story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde? Dr Jekyll, the famous scientist, is not all he seems, and the other side of his character – Mr. Hyde - is, you will recall, a distinctly all he seems, and the other side of his character – Mr. Hyde - is, you will recall, a distinctly nasty piece of work.nasty piece of work.Continuing the idea of the two sides of the human character, have a look at the picture Continuing the idea of the two sides of the human character, have a look at the picture above. On the left is Dr Angry, and on the right is Mr. Calm.above. On the left is Dr Angry, and on the right is Mr. Calm.Now, back away from your computer screen. This effect will work at different distances for Now, back away from your computer screen. This effect will work at different distances for different people, but you should see the two characters swap over...! As you come closer to different people, but you should see the two characters swap over...! As you come closer to the screen again, they revert to their original characters. Spooky or what!the screen again, they revert to their original characters. Spooky or what!As optical illusions go, we think this is pretty impressive. A short explanation goes As optical illusions go, we think this is pretty impressive. A short explanation goes something like this. When we look at an object, we can normally see both fine detail and something like this. When we look at an object, we can normally see both fine detail and coarse detail. However when we are close, the fine detail will dominate, and when we are coarse detail. However when we are close, the fine detail will dominate, and when we are further away, we lose the fine detail, and see more of the coarse detail.further away, we lose the fine detail, and see more of the coarse detail.Both of the faces you see above are hybrids - each face is actually a combination of two Both of the faces you see above are hybrids - each face is actually a combination of two faces. The left hand face shows an angry man in fine detail, but within the picture there is faces. The left hand face shows an angry man in fine detail, but within the picture there is also coarse detail of the calm face. Move away, and you lose the fine (angry) detail, and also coarse detail of the calm face. Move away, and you lose the fine (angry) detail, and just see the coarse (calm) detail.just see the coarse (calm) detail.The right hand face shows the calm face in fine detail, and the angry face in coarse detail. The right hand face shows the calm face in fine detail, and the angry face in coarse detail.

How many people/faces can you How many people/faces can you find?find?

Ink-blotsInk-blots

The “Ink-blot Test”, also known as The “Ink-blot Test”, also known as The “Rorschach Test” was The “Rorschach Test” was originally invented by Hermann originally invented by Hermann Rorschach. Rorschach. (1884-1922)(1884-1922)as a psychology/personality test.as a psychology/personality test.

A patient will look into a series of A patient will look into a series of 10 inkblots and say what they see, 10 inkblots and say what they see, their psychiatrist will then use their psychiatrist will then use what the patient seeswhat the patient seesin the inkblots as a reflection of the in the inkblots as a reflection of the patient's fantasies, personality, patient's fantasies, personality, and their current mental state and their current mental state Remember: What you see in Remember: What you see in these is a reflection of your these is a reflection of your fantasies, your personality and fantasies, your personality and your current mental state. your current mental state. So the more interesting you So the more interesting you are, the more interesting are, the more interesting things you will see in thesethings you will see in these

Color BlindnessColor Blindness

Almost 10% of human males experience color Almost 10% of human males experience color vision deficiency (compared with 0.4% of vision deficiency (compared with 0.4% of females). The most common form of these females). The most common form of these abnormalities is characterized by an inability to abnormalities is characterized by an inability to distinguish between red and green hues. distinguish between red and green hues.

InstructionsInstructions: The following images are part of : The following images are part of The Series of Plates Designed as a Test for The Series of Plates Designed as a Test for Colour-DeficiencyColour-Deficiency by Shinobu Ishihara M.D. which by Shinobu Ishihara M.D. which is the accepted standardized color blindness test. is the accepted standardized color blindness test. They are specially adjusted to isolate the exact They are specially adjusted to isolate the exact deficiency experienced by the viewer. What do deficiency experienced by the viewer. What do you see in the plates?you see in the plates?

This is a test plate This is a test plate in which everyone in which everyone should see a "12". should see a "12".

This plate is This plate is designed to designed to separate the type of separate the type of color defectives and color defectives and the level to which the level to which they are observed. they are observed. Most will see the Most will see the number "26" clearly number "26" clearly while some will only while some will only see a "2" or a "6" or see a "2" or a "6" or no numerals at all. no numerals at all.

Can you trace a line Can you trace a line from one "X" to the from one "X" to the other? Someone with other? Someone with normal color vision normal color vision will trace a will trace a orange/brown purple orange/brown purple line and those with a line and those with a slight deficiency will slight deficiency will follow a different follow a different path.path.

Say the colour, not the word!Say the colour, not the word! YELLOWYELLOW BLUEBLUE

ORANGEORANGE BLACKBLACKREDRED GREENGREENPURPLEPURPLE

YELLOWYELLOW REDRED ORANGE ORANGE GREENGREEN

BLUEBLUE REDREDPURPLEPURPLE

GREENGREEN BLUEBLUEORANGEORANGE  

If you have trouble doing this it is because your left and right If you have trouble doing this it is because your left and right brain are in conflict!! brain are in conflict!!

The right hemisphere of the brain tries to say the colour while The right hemisphere of the brain tries to say the colour while the left side insists on reading the word the left side insists on reading the word