Photograph Optical Illusions

There are many ways to create an optical illusion. Digitally manipulating a photograph using software such as Photoshop or Gimp creates convincing images, but like special effects in the movies you know they are fake.

There are ways to setup true photographic optical illusions without altering or "faking" the image. Take the following actual photo as an example.


Chess Anyone?
(c)2002
Tim Jensen
Used w/permission

This modern photograph is reminiscent of Sandro Del Prete's famous illusion drawing "Impossible Chess Set" below.


Impossible Chess Set
Sandro Del Prete
(c) 1975


So how do you think the photo "Chess Anyone?" was accomplished?

One key to photographic illusions is the fact that photos are 2 dimensional images of 3 dimensional objects. This means most photo illusions would fall apart if you saw them first hand. If you wish to see the Chess Anyone illusion from an angle that will reveal how it was accomplished place your mouse over the below reveal screen.


Chess Anyone? Revealed
(c)2002
Tim Jensen
Used w/permission

For a complete tutorial on how this photographic optical illusion was done read Tim Jensen's explanation here.

READ MORE - Photograph Optical Illusions

The Terrace Optical Illusion

This illusion was created by David MacDonald. He describes the process,

"All my images are made the same way. I create a "matrix" in CorelDRAW according to strict rules of perspective, except for the false connections. This is then brought into Photo-Paint where it is "rendered" with purpose-taken, digitally photographed textures and objects. A print-out of the matrix is used as a reference guide during photography to help ensure that the objects are photographed with the correct point of view to fit."

This illusion took "in the region of sixty purpose taken photographs."

A wonderful blend of photography and digital imaging.

The Terrace
Used with Permission
Copyright 1998, 1999 David MacDonald
Any use without express permission is prohibited

Update: David MacDonald recently put launched a new presence on the web called Cambiguities, check out his other amazing creations.

READ MORE - The Terrace Optical Illusion

Fire and Water Optical Illusion

If you had a need to boil water and only had a candle and a glass, what would you do? If you were photographer Georg Pillwein you would be creative and boil the water from inside the glass.

Fire and Water
(c)2004
Georg Pillwein
Used w/permission

Having the flame directly in the water has to be a very efficient way to transfer energy to the water. I only wonder why other folks didn't think of this earlier.

If you wish to use this photograph or any other that Georg has on his site drop him a line.

READ MORE - Fire and Water Optical Illusion