We are accustomed to taking the world around us for granted, so we do not notice how our brain deceives its own masters.
The imperfection of our binocular vision, unconscious false judgments, psychological stereotypes and other distortions of worldview give rise to optical illusions. There are a huge number of them, but we tried to collect the most interesting, crazy and incredible of them for you.
Classic blivet is perhaps the most striking representative of optical patterns from the “impossible figures” category. No matter how you try, you will not be able to determine where the middle prong originates.
Another striking example is the impossible Penrose triangle.
It is in the form of a so-called “endless staircase”.
And also “The Impossible Elephant” by Roger Shepard.
There are quite a few similar illusions of movement, that is, static images that appear to be moving. For example, the famous rotating circle.
Or yellow arrows on a pink background: when stare they seem to sway back and forth.
Caution: This image may cause eye pain or dizziness in people with weak vestibular systems.
Honestly, this is a regular picture, not a GIF! Psychedelic spirals seem to drag you somewhere into a universe full of strangeness and wonder.
Two classic illusions-shifters: nurse/old woman and beauty/ugly.
A more highly artistic picture with a trick - when turned 90 degrees, the frog turns into a horse.
Other "double illusions" are more subtle.
The list of such dual pictures can be continued endlessly:
In the picture above, most people see the Indian's face first, and only then look to the left and see the silhouette in the fur coat. The image below is usually interpreted by everyone as a black cat, and only then does a mouse appear in its outline.
A very simple upside-down picture - something like this can be easily done with your own hands.
This trick is possible due to the way our brain works. A shadow without sharp boundaries falls on square B. Thanks to the darker "surrounding" and the smooth shadow gradient, it appears to be significantly lighter than Square A.
The explanation of the dress phenomenon is very simple: as in the case of gray squares, everything depends on the imperfect chromatic adaptation of our visual organs. As you know, the human retina consists of two types of receptors: rods and cones. Rods capture light better, while cones capture color better. Each person has a different ratio of cones to rods, so the determination of the color and shape of an object is slightly different depending on the dominance of one or another type of receptor.
Those who saw the dress in white and gold noticed the brightly lit background and decided that the dress was in the shadows, which means White color should be darker than usual. If the dress seemed blue-black to you, it means that your eye first of all paid attention to the main color of the dress, which in this photo actually has a blue tint. Then your brain judged that the golden hue was black, lighter due to the sun's rays directed at the dress and Bad quality photo.
In reality the dress was blue with black lace.
Here's another photo that baffled millions of users who couldn't decide whether it was a wall in front of them or a lake.
A selection of optical illusions and double-digit pictures.
The eyes are a complex mechanism that helps a person perceive correctly. the world. But as practice shows, even such a seemingly perfect mechanism can be easily deceived.
This can be done using color contrasts, sharply changing proportions and various small details. Thanks to all this, the human eye will see an optical illusion that changes depending on the angle at which you look at it.
Optical illusion
Optical illusion (visual illusion)- this is an incorrect perception of certain pictures or surrounding objects by the eyes. In this case, the eyes see the image a little differently than the brain tells them. The correct background, depth and geometric shapes arranged in a certain sequence help to achieve a similar effect in the picture.
All these little tricks prevent the eyes from correctly scanning the image in front of them, and as a result, the brain forces the person to see a distorted picture. Surrealist artists take full advantage of this feature of the human eye and try to surprise people with paintings that have a special meaning. That is why surrealism can also be classified as an optical illusion that can provoke a person to strong emotions.
Illusion pictures for the eyes
As you probably already understood, illusion pictures force our brain to perceive images not exactly as they look. This happens because the brain also has patterns, and if it understands that the eyes do not perceive the picture quite correctly, it begins to send impulses that make it completely different.
The brain can also be tricked by using bright colors. If the same picture is superimposed on a different background, then its individual details will be perceived by the eye in a different color.
People are even more misled by pictures that depict geometric shapes that are contrasting in color. At first glance, it may seem to a person that they are located parallel to each other. But in fact, if you look more closely at them, you can understand that they are looking in opposite directions.
And, of course, don’t forget that a loving picture looks different from different angles. In view of this, if you make it contrasting, then you will see in it different depths. This can be seen in the example with a contrasting cube.
Stereo image to improve vision
3D stereo image
3D picture
3D stereo pictures- these are nothing more than the same optical illusions, simply created by alternating dots and textures. Main principle Such pictures are based on the brain’s ability to compare different data and estimate distances to objects, figures and points as accurately as possible.
Such images are very often used for eye training in the treatment of ophthalmic pathologies. According to experts, if a person looks at such pictures for at least a few minutes a day, his eyes will relax properly.
In order to correctly see the stereo image, you will first need to move away from it at arm's length and try to completely relax your eyes. You should try to look through the image. If you do everything correctly, after some time you will see the most realistic three-dimensional picture.
Three-dimensional picture in black and white
Black and white flats
If you carefully read our article, you probably realized that illusion pictures work best with color contrast. This is why black and white images are the easiest to deceive our eyes. If you just look at the simplest picture in this color scheme, you will notice that your eyes jump from one element to another, not knowing where to stop.
That is why when looking at something like this optical illusion it seems to the person that the figures in the image are constantly moving, floating and moving. If, for example, a portrait of a person is depicted in such a color scheme, then depending on the color it will change both its contour and its shape.
Eyes see movement due to correctly selected colors
The good thing about moving pictures is that they create a realistic effect. When a person looks at them, it seems to him that he really sees a waterfall or a sea that sways. The best thing in this case is that a person does not need to take absolutely any action to see everything correctly. As a rule, at the first glance at such a visual illusion, the eyes immediately catch the movement of some individual details.
Geometric moving picture
If it is a geometric picture, it will be created using contrasting shades and identical geometric shapes. In this case, the eyes will perceive it almost the same as a black and white image, making it seem to the person that the drawing is constantly in motion.
The square can only be seen when turning
The picture shows how you can visually enlarge an object
GIFs, like any other illusion pictures, deceive the human eye and it does not perceive them exactly as it did initially. In this case, everything is built on movement. It is from the speed and in which direction the elements move that a person can see different images.
Also, gifs allow you to visually reduce large objects quite well and enlarge very small ones. This happens by moving closer or further from the object you will be looking at.
Optical illusion with depth effect
Hypnosis picture focusing attention on a central point
Hypnosis pictures- these are images that can put a person into a state of light trance, promoting relaxation nervous system. Most often, this effect is achieved with the same contrast and the same type of lines or figures, placed from largest to smallest. Looking at the image, a person tries to understand the secret of the continuous movement of objects in his field of vision.
And the more he tries to solve the riddle of the hypnosis picture, the more he plunges into a kind of trance. If you try to look at the center of such an optical illusion for a long time, then it will inevitably begin to seem to you that you are moving along some kind of corridor or simply falling somewhere. This state will cause you to relax and forget about everyday problems and obstacles for a while.
The double meaning of minimalism
Mirror optical illusion
The main secret of double optical illusions is the almost complete repetition of all, even the smallest lines. This creates a mirror effect that allows you to create an image that will look different from different angles. In this case, you can combine two completely different designs in the picture, as long as they fit each other perfectly in shape and color scheme.
Also, a double picture can consist of two completely different images, just when you look at it you will see the outlines of the same figure.
Pictures for visual deception for children
In principle, visual illusion pictures for children are also based on the contrast of colors, the depth of lines and a correctly selected background. It’s just that, unlike images for adults, in this case, upside-down pictures are most often used.
By looking at them, the baby tries to recognize what his eyes actually see, thereby helping him develop logical thinking. And in order to make it easier for small children to perceive what they see, as a rule, the drawings depict animals or plants that are familiar to them.
For example, this could be a drawing that depicts a cat that turns into an angry dog when it turns over.
In addition, children perceive very well pictures in which the same object has different lengths. In this case, the illusion effect is achieved by the correct background and different colors two figures completely identical in shape.
Geometric illusion
Geometric illusions- this is nothing more than an image of objects of different shapes, which the eye perceives not quite as is customary in geometry. In this case, the ability of the human eye to determine the color, direction and size of objects is used.
But if in geometry they are arranged according to certain rules, then in this case, for example, a rectangle can be composed of several triangles of different sizes. This illusion is designed so that a person, instead of seeing triangles, will look at parallel lines and try to understand how similar they are.
Also in geometric illusions, contrast in size is very often used. Looking at such an image, a person does not see that the two central circles are the same size. Even when looking closely, he thinks that the circle surrounded by smaller objects is larger than the one surrounded by larger ones.
Pictures of optical illusion with a dress
If you spend a lot of time on the Internet, then you have probably already come across a picture with a question about the color of a dress. As a rule, people cannot give a definite answer to this question as in different time day they see a different shade of the outfit. What is this connected with? As already mentioned at the very beginning of our article, the human eye is a rather complex mechanism, the main one of which is the retina (responsible for the correct perception of color).
The retina itself consists of rods and cones, the number of which determines how brightly a person perceives a particular color. For this reason, the dress may appear soft blue to some people, while deep blue to others. When it comes to optical illusions, lighting plays a huge role. At daylight it will appear lighter, and if artificial it will appear much brighter and darker.
Picture for optical illusion – “Girl or old woman”
Each of us has experienced the “Girl or Old Woman” optical illusion at least once in our lives. But, having looked at it, we simply forget about it and don’t even think about why our eyes see such a dual picture. In fact, in this case, completely two different images are skillfully connected to each other in one drawing.
If you pay closer attention, you will realize that one pattern flows smoothly into the other. For example, the oval of a young girl’s face simultaneously serves as the nose of an old woman, and her ear serves as the eye of an elderly woman.
Tattoo imitating the flight of a butterfly
Surreal tattoo
Tattoo with volumetric effect
As you probably already understood, an optical illusion is nothing more than a correctly drawn picture. Therefore, if you wish, you can easily get yourself a tattoo in the style of surrealism.
All you have to do is apply it using contrasting colors, the right directions and background. All this will help you create voluminous and even visually moving images on your skin. You can see an example of a tattoo in the style of surrealism a little higher.
Mirror surfaces in the interior
Optical illusions are good because they can radically change any room. Mirror surfaces are considered the simplest visual deception. With their help, even the most small room it will seem huge and bright.
Horizontal lines on walls
Different textures change the space well. If you want to easily stretch the room, then decorate the walls with horizontal lines. If, on the contrary, you need to reduce something, then frame it with vertical lines.
Floating table in the interior
If you wish, you can decorate your kitchen with so-called floating furniture. To do this, you will only need to buy a table whose legs will be made of either transparent plastic or glass.
Hidden doors
Also, if you wish, you can decorate your home with an invisible door. To achieve a similar effect, you will have to install a door with hidden hinges, and then decorate it in the same color as the walls.
Optical Illusion: Dress Form
Optical illusion: color
As you probably already understood, visual deception can help a person make the world around him more organic, and this applies not only to the interior. If you need to correct your figure, you can try to do this using optical illusions. All that will be required of you is to choose the right color and shape of your outfits.
Surrealism in painting
Two-faced picture
Optical illusions are very popular among artists. They help them make their paintings deeper and more interesting not only visual perception, but also semantic. As a rule, for this they use so-called two-faced pictures.
Most often, in this way they try to disguise the caricature. Surrealist artists use a similar technique to create drawings with a triple image, thereby trying to give their masterpiece a deeper meaning. You can see examples of such paintings a little higher.
Tenderness and strength in one picture
Salvador Dali is considered the most famous surrealist in the world. He always painted images in his paintings that made a person far from art think. This is probably why even now people look at his masterpieces with great pleasure and try to understand what the great artist was thinking about when he painted them.
Optical illusion - unreliable visual perception of any picture: incorrect assessment of the length of segments, color visible object, angle values, etc.
The reasons for such errors lie in the peculiarities of the physiology of our vision, as well as in the psychology of perception. Sometimes illusions can lead to completely incorrect quantitative estimates of specific geometric quantities.
Even looking carefully at the “optical illusion” picture, in 25 percent or more of cases you can make a mistake if you do not check your visual assessments with a ruler.
So, for example, let's look at the following figure.
Which of the circles located in the middle is larger?
Correct answer: the circles are the same.
Which of the two people is taller: the dwarf in the foreground or the person walking behind everyone? 
Correct answer: they are the same height.
The figure shows two segments. Which one is longer?
Correct answer: they are the same.
One type of visual illusion is pareidolia. Pareidolia is an illusory perception of a specific object.
Unlike illusions of perception of length, depth, dual images, pictures with images that are specially created in order to provoke the occurrence of illusions, pareidolia can arise on their own when viewing the most ordinary objects. So, for example, sometimes when examining a pattern on wallpaper or a carpet, clouds, spots and cracks on the ceiling, you can see fantastic changing landscapes, unusual animals, people’s faces, etc.
The basis of various illusory images can be the details of a real-life drawing. The first to describe such a phenomenon were Jaspers and Kahlbaumi (Jaspers K., 1913, Kahlbaum K., 1866;). Many pareidolic illusions can arise when perceiving well-known images. In this case, similar illusions can occur simultaneously in several people.
For example, in the following picture, which shows the World Trade Center building on fire. Many people can see the scary face of the devil on it. 
The image of the devil can be seen in the next picture - the devil in the smoke 
In the following picture you can easily distinguish a face on Mars (NASA, 1976). The play of shadow and light has given rise to many theories about ancient Martian civilizations. Interestingly, late photographs of this area of Mars do not show a face.
And here you can see a dog.
Looking at the drawing, you can observe the illusion of color perception. 
In fact, the circles on different squares are the same shade of gray.
Looking at the following picture, answer the question: are the chess squares on which points A and B are the same or different colors?
It's hard to believe, but yes! Don't believe me? Photoshop will prove it to you.
How many colors are you drawing in the following picture?
There are only 3 colors - white, green and pink. You might think there are 2 shades of pink, but that's actually not the case.
What do these waves look like to you?
Are the brown stripe waves colored? But no! It's just an illusion.
Look at the following picture and say the color of each word.
Why is this so difficult? The fact is that one part of the brain is trying to read the word, while the other perceives the color.
Looking at the following image, look at black dot. After some time, the colored spots should go away. 
Do you see the gray diagonal stripes?
If you look at the center point for a while, the stripes will disappear.
Another type of visual illusion is shapeshifting. The fact is that the image of the object itself depends on the direction of your gaze. So, one of these optical illusions is the “duck hare.” This image can be interpreted as both an image of a hare and an image of a duck. 
Take a closer look, what do you see in the next picture? 
What do you see in this picture: a musician or a girl’s face?
Strange, it's actually a book.
If you look at the black color of this lamp for a long time, and then look at a white sheet of paper, then this lamp will be visible there too.
Look at the dot, and then move away a little and move closer to the monitor. The circles will spin in different directions.
That. the features of optical perception are complex. Sometimes you shouldn’t believe your own eyes...
Snakes crawl in different directions.
After looking at an image continuously for a long period of time, there will be some impact on vision for some time afterwards. For example, prolonged contemplation of a spiral leads to the fact that all objects around will rotate for 5-10 seconds.
This is a common type of erroneous perception when a person guesses a figure in the shadows with peripheral vision.
This is a visual illusion that leads to a distortion of the size of an object placed on a background of contrasting color.
This is the occurrence of unclear points different shades in front of closed eyes.
This is an optical illusion, implying two options for perceiving the depth and volume of an object. Looking at the image, a person does not understand whether an object is concave or convex.
Optical illusions are nothing more than an optical illusion of our brain. After all, when we look at a picture, our eye sees one thing, but the brain begins to protest and claim that this is not at all what it is. So it turns out that illusions are created by our mind, which begins to analyze the color, the position of the light source, the location of edges or corners, etc. Thanks to this, the correction of visual images occurs.
Be careful! Some illusions may cause tears, headache and disorientation in space.
Invisible chair. The optical effect that gives the viewer a false impression of the location of the seat is due to original design chair, designed by the French studio Ibride.
Volumetric Rubik's Cube. The drawing looks so realistic that there is no doubt that this is a real object. Twisting the piece of paper, it becomes obvious that this is just a deliberately distorted image.
This is not an animated gif. This is an ordinary picture, all elements of which are absolutely motionless. It is your perception that is playing with you. Hold your gaze for a few seconds at one point, and the picture will stop moving.
Look at the cross in the center. Peripheral vision turns beautiful faces into monsters.
Flying cube. What looks like a real cube floating in the air is actually a drawing on a stick.
Eye? A shot from photographer Liamm, who was filming a foam sink but soon realized it was an eye staring back at him.
Which direction does the wheel spin?
Hypnosis. Stare without blinking at the middle of the image for 20 seconds, and then move your gaze to someone’s face or just a wall.
Four circles. Be careful! This optical illusion can cause headaches lasting up to two hours.
Ordering squares. The four white lines appear to be moving randomly. But once you put images of squares on them, everything becomes quite natural.
The birth of animation. Animated images by overlaying a grid of black parallel lines on the finished drawing. Before our eyes, static objects begin to move.
