Snowflake in the Wind

This is an anomalous motion illusion, as you scan the image and your eyes move from one point to another parts of the image will appear to move. This creation was inspired by Akiyoshi Kitaoka, he is a master of optical illusions and a must stop for all fans. If you have been to his site in a while he is adding things on a regular basis.

Snowflake in the Wind
Walt Anthony
2012

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Jet Engine Optical Illusion

It is rare that an actual photograph will exhibit the feel of motion. This photo is an example of a real life anomalous motion optical illusion. Not everyone is able to see every illusion so I ask, is it just me or does this static image appear to be rotating?

Jet engine optical illusion
Flickr Artist: Johnny Vulkan

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Cracked Optical Illusion

Here is another anomalous motion optical illusion created by Herman J. Verwaal.

Anomalous motion optical illusions is the main reason for the warning at the top of this page. Many folks who pass by this site pass over the warning without thought, thinking that it is some sort of gimmick. However if you are prone to seizures please read the warning above before proceeding further.

Herman anomalous motion images confuse the eye and brain. This confusion allows the viewer to perceive motion in a static image. It is true the below image is a static image and is not moving.


Herman J. Verwaal
copyright 2012
used w/permission

Herman has an excellent collection of Pop Art, Paintings, and Optical illusions. He has given me permission to feature his pieces here. This is just one of many. His illusion art ranges from color perception to distorted illusions.

Thank You for sharing these excellent illusions Herman.

*** Herman J. Verwaal's Trick Art, Pop Art, and Fine Art are available for purchase.

READ MORE - Cracked Optical Illusion

Gear Box Optical Illusion

Here is another anomalous motion optical illusion created by Herman J. Verwaal.

Herman is a rare illusion artist in that each of his images not only confuse the eye and brain, but are unique works of art that can stand apart from the illusion world.

Herman J. Verwaal
copyright 2012
used w/permission

Herman has a large collection of Pop Art, Paintings, and Optical illusions that he has created over time. He has generously allowed me to feature a few of his pieces here. This is just one of many. He has created a wide range of Trick-Art from impossible construction to anomalous motion and hopefully Herman will allow me to show some more of his wonderful art.

Thank You for sharing these excellent illusions Herman.

*** Herman J. Verwaal's Trick Art, Pop Art, and Fine Art are available for purchase.

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Illusory Motion Optical Illusion

Here is another excellent optical illusion from Sarcone & Waeber. The below image is static, only the colors change. The base image is an anomalous motion optical illusion. When we add the changing color to the mix it is very hard not to believe that the image itself is not moving.

What do you think?

For more info and another example of Illusory Motion go here.

Stare at the center of the 'animated' image. The image is static only the colors change!

© 2005, Sarcone & Waeber
www.archimedes-lab.org
used w/permission

Tags: photos, optical_illusions, illusions, art

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Colored Balls in Motion

Here is another anomalous motion optical illusion created by Herman J. Verwaal.

The effect of rotating balls is well done in this image.

Herman J. Verwaal
copyright 2012
used w/permission

Herman has a large collection of optical illusions that he has created over time. He has generously allowed me to feature a few of his pieces here. This is just one of many (check the sitemap for his others). His illusions run the gambit and I will be showing you more of his excellent Trick-Art in the future.

Thank You for sharing these excellent illusions Herman.

*** Herman J. Verwaal's Trick Art, Pop Art, and Fine Art available for purchase here.

Tags: photos, optical_illusions, illusions, art

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Here is another anomalous motion optical illusion created by Herman J. Verwaal.

I love the way the butterflies dance around the flower.

Herman J. Verwaal
copyright 2012
used w/permission

Herman has a large collection of optical illusions that he has created over time. He has generously allowed me to feature a few of his pieces here. This is just one of many (check the sitemap for his others). His illusions run the gambit and I will be showing you more of his excellent Trick-Art in the future.

Thank You for sharing these excellent illusions Herman.

*** Herman J. Verwaal's Trick Art, Pop Art, and Fine Art available for purchase here.

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Anomalous Motion Optical Illusion

AKA Peripheral Drift Optical Illusion is characterized by anomalous motion that can be observed in peripheral vision.

Warning: This page contains some works of "anomalous motion illusion", which might make sensitive observers dizzy or sick. Should you feel dizzy, leave this page immediately.

The above is a serious warning that I borrowed from the master of anomalous optical illusions, Professor Akiyoshi Kitaoka, of Ritsumeikan University, Kyoto, Japan.

Professor Kitaoka wasn't the first to notice that certain images appear to move if viewed in your peripheral vision. But he has studied the effect and perfected the creation of these optical illusions.

The first anomalous motion optical illusion is one that I created.


Sea Sickness
(Update: the web seems to have named this
"The Purple Nurple Optical Illusion")
Walter Anthony
(c)2012

Keep in mind that this is a static image. It is not animated in any way. but as your vision moves back and forth the center area seems to be moving toward the center (contracting) and the outer edges seem to be moving away (expanding) from the center. Also worth noting is that if you fixate on a point in the center and don't move your eyes this anomalous motion will stop.

The next optical illusion is by the professor himself. Take a look at these snakes, do they rotate? For an even more amazing experience click on the image. It should open in a new window and take up the entire screen. Remember this image is not animated.

"Rotating snakes #9"
Each snake appears to rotate.
Copyright A.Kitaoka 2004 (October 7)
Used w/permission

Printer Alert----> If you have access to a color printer this illusion works on paper too! Print out a large version to amaze your family or friends.

Explanation----> Professor Kitaoka has provided a more detailed explanation of the peripheral drift illusion in PDF.

Finally the last example is from a friend, Herman Verwaal from Exloo, Netherlands. Since he has retired he has taken to creating optical illusions of all types. Here is one of his anomalous motion optical illusions. Notice the attempted motion this time is side to side (lateral).


Herman Verwaal
(c)2012
Used w/permission


Well there you have examples of three forms of anomalous motion optical illusions.

1. Expanding/Contracting
2. Rotational
3. Lateral

A quick thank you to Professor Kitaoka and Herman Verwaal for allowing me to share these illusions with you.

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Radiohead In Rainbows Optical Illusion

Here is a possible cover art for Radiohead's album In Rainbow. There is some nice anomalous motion going on in this art.

Nicely done!

inrainbows 800x800
Flickr Artist: pixelbaustelle

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Bending Lines Optical Illusion

Here is an anomalous motion/distorted perception illusion.

The apparent motion induced by the blue spots seems to cause the red lines to bend and wave. If the whole image is in motion how could red lines not be bending with the motion?

These types of motion images confuse the eye and brain. This confusion allows the viewer to perceive motion in a static image. That's right the below image is a static image and is not animated in any way.

Herman J. Verwaal
copyright 2012
used w/permission

Herman has an excellent collection of Pop art, Paintings, and Optical illusions. He has given me permission to feature his pieces here. This is just one of many. His illusion art ranges from color perception to distorted illusions.

Thank You for sharing these excellent illusions Herman.

*** Herman J. Verwaal's Trick Art, Pop Art, and Fine Art are available for purchase.

READ MORE - Bending Lines Optical Illusion

Sea Sickness Optical Illusion

I decided to try my hand at some illusions. The below image is the result. This is an anomalous motion illusion so please read the caution at the top of this page.

This is how I visualize the results of sea sickness in the optical illusion world. You can see the center spiraling down toward the deck and the outside splashing out after hitting. I know it doesn't sound nice, but that's life in the world of illusions.

What do you think? Do you see any motion in this image?


Sea Sickness
Walt Anthony (c)2012

You can click to continue reading full article, but the truth is, this is it, there ain't anymore.

Peace!

Update: Steve Higgins over at Omnibrain has dubbed this "The Purple Nurple Optical Illusion".

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Time for Optical Illusions 4 Kids

Warning: This page contains some works of "anomalous motion illusion", which might make sensitive observers dizzy or sick. Should you feel dizzy, leave this page immediately.

Herman Verwaal
(c)2012
Used w/permission
Here is an anomalous motion illusion that was created for me by Herman. I thought that it was time to share it with y'all. If you don't see the motion, slowly move your eyes around the clock face.

READ MORE - Time for Optical Illusions 4 Kids

Electric Motor Optical Illusion

Warning: This page contains some works of "anomalous motion illusion", which might make sensitive observers dizzy or sick. Should you feel dizzy, leave this page immediately.

This illusion was created by my friend, Herman Verwaal of Exloo, Netherland. Herman took up the creation of optical illusions and pop art after he retired. Unfortunately Herman's time on this planet ended last December. He will be missed but not forgotten. Long ago he gave me access to a large library of illusions that he had created he also gave me permission to display them on my blogs. Here is the second that I have featured on this blog.


Herman Verwaal
(c)2012
Used w/permission

This is and example of an anomalous motion optical illusion. Also referred to as peripheral drift optical illusion. As your eyes scan the image the image appears to move. If however you manage to stare at just one point, without moving your eyes, all motion will stop.

That is why this is referred to as a peripheral drift illusion. As your eyes drift across the image the motion is seen out of your peripheral vision. A more detailed explanation of this type of illusion can be found here (as a PDF file).

Printer Alert----> If you have access to a color printer this illusion works on paper too! Print it out to amaze your family or friends.

READ MORE - Electric Motor Optical Illusion

Circles in Motion

I have seen this before but it never triggered as a great illusion. That is until I found it on a site that explained its activation. This is a great anomalous motion optical illusion.

Stare at the center dot and move your head toward the illusion, now pull back. The circles appear to move in one direction on the way in and reverse their motion when you pull back.

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Pachinko illusion

Hold on to your seats here is yet another illusion that has to be prefixed with the statement that this is not an animated file. If this looks like it is in motion to you (as it does to me) then you might be suffering from an Optical Illusion.

Click picture for full effect.

"Pachinko"*

*One of the games Japanese people prefer

Yellowish-green circles appear to scintillate. Moreover, rings of balls appear to rotate.

Copyright A.Kitaoka 2004 (June 25)

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Merry Christmas

In the spirit of Christmas I present to you in the Christmas colors (red & green) an anomalous motion illusion. As always remember, If it looks like it is in motion to you then you might be suffering from an Optical Illusion.

"Green peaces"

The inset appears to move rightward.

Copyright A.Kitaoka 2004 (June 23)

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An Octopus

The picture below is another illusion that appears to be in motion. I want to point people to the caution at the top of this page. Please read and understand this caution prior to moving forward. Remember, If it looks like it is in motion to you then you might be suffering from an Optical Illusion.

Click picture for full effect.

"An octopus"

The octopus appears to move.

Copyright Aiyoshi Kitaoka 2004 (November 8)

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Floating Beans

You've seen mexican jumping beans , these must be from the same family. They certainly appear to move about the image. For the record this image is not animated.

Click on the picture to experience the full effect.

Rollers
Copyright A.Kitaoka 2004 (April 20)

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Try and Focus...

This reminds me of the opening of that classic TV show The Outer Limits (please be seated before viewing further)

"There is nothing wrong with your television set. Do not attempt to adjust the picture. We are controlling transmission. We will control the horizontal. We will control the vertical. We can roll the image; make it flutter. We can change the focus to a soft blur or sharpen it to crystal clarity. For the next hour we will control all that you see and hear. We repeat: there is nothing wrong with your television set. You are about to participate in a great adventure. You are about to experience the awe and mystery which reaches from the inner mind to the outer limits."

"Kitaoka Out of Focus"

This was created by Akiyoshi Kitaoka.

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Chevrons on Parade Optical Illusion

Is this moving counter-clockwise or am I just feeling the effects of the cold medication I'm on.

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