The Café Wall optical illusion falls under the category of distorting illusions. Similar to the artwork of Peter Kogler, it tricks the eyes into believing a flat surface has different characteristics. We know it’s hard to believe, but all these horizontal lines run parallel to each other. It is difficult to tell from the angle of this photograph, yet it’s true; the tiles are square.
What causes visual and cognitive confusion is twofold. First, it is the way the tiles do not line up exactly at their corners; each corner is off just slightly. Secondly, the use of visible mortar lines completes the illusion. The original locale, this pattern, was identified as an optical illusion that occurred at a local UK café in St. Michael’s Hill, Bristol.
A Waterfall Under Water?
This colonial island nation located southeast of Africa in the Indian Ocean offers a spectacular sight from above. This view is possible from the southeastern tip of the island of Mauritius. The waterfall illusion in Mauritius is created by the runoff of sand and silt instead of water.
The clarity of the water brings to light those deposits. Directly above, it almost looks like an underwater vortex. After all, it’s just natural beauty. It also makes you sort of understand why ancient civilizations hundreds of years ago used to think that the earth was flat. Those who think it today have no excuse.
Stay Focused!
Look at one set of eyes and mouth or, rather, try. Easier said than done. This image makes it almost impossible to focus on just one set of facial features. This is why we are so happy the artist also included the mask on the side — it's the one focal point in this painting that helps us not get dizzy.
It’s an optical illusion that makes us think we have double vision. Since the face is one of the most recognizable images that our brain processes, the distortion causes confusion. A similar image has been used in a drunk driving awareness advertisement. Do you feel intoxicated looking at his face?
What Is This?
We are going to go with an accordion selfie. An accordion selfie may be a selfie pose you have never heard of because we have never heard of it, either. But we feel like it's going to become a trend so watch out. The guy in front obviously told each guy down the line to progressively bend slightly toward the camera.
The effect is nothing short of spectacular. The head of the guy in front seems to replicate like some kind of self-replicating sci-fi creature. If they all sat straight again, his pose would return to a normal selfie, but where is the fun in that?
Body Double
This photograph is a good example of a literal optical illusion. These types of illusions create an image of something that is not reality. It plays with perspectives. It appears that a guy with a large head and small body is reaching over to hug his girlfriend. However, just the opposite is true.
The person standing is actually the girl. Her body is leaning over and wrapping around the right side of the guy who is sitting in the chair. Her head is completely hidden from view, except for some long hair and a peek at her nostrils, which you can see if you look closely. Do you see her?