30 Perfectly Misleading Photos That Seem Like A Glitch In Real Life (New Pics)

We rely on our senses to interpret the world around us, but they’re not as foolproof as we might think.Ever noticed how food tastes different when you can’t smell it? Or how your hands fumble with textures in the dark? Our eyes are just as easily tricked—give them anoptical illusion, and they’ll glitch out faster than an old computer.That’s what makes them so fun to mess with! To put your perception to the test, we’ve gathered some of the most mind-bending photos from thesubredditConfusing Perspectives. Check them out below, and don’t miss our conversation with cognitive scientistMark Changizion why our brains keep falling for these visual tricks.This post may includeaffiliate links.

We rely on our senses to interpret the world around us, but they’re not as foolproof as we might think.

Ever noticed how food tastes different when you can’t smell it? Or how your hands fumble with textures in the dark? Our eyes are just as easily tricked—give them anoptical illusion, and they’ll glitch out faster than an old computer.

That’s what makes them so fun to mess with! To put your perception to the test, we’ve gathered some of the most mind-bending photos from thesubredditConfusing Perspectives. Check them out below, and don’t miss our conversation with cognitive scientistMark Changizion why our brains keep falling for these visual tricks.

This post may includeaffiliate links.

Two cats on a marble floor, one black and stretched out, creating a seriously confusing optical illusion with its shadow.

Confusing pic of a road merging with stormy skies creating an optical illusion.

It’s kind of humbling when you think about it—our brains are powerful, yet it doesn’t take much to trick them. A simple optical illusion is enough to throw them off. But how exactly do these illusions work? To find out,Bored Pandareached out to Mark Changizi, a cognitive scientist and author ofThe Vision RevolutionandMotorcycle Mind.

Shadows on snow creating an optical illusion, requiring a double take to understand.

Confusing image of a ginger cat in a bowl, resembling a seasoned chicken ready for roasting.

“Optical illusions occur because your brain is slow,” Changizi explains. “It takes about a tenth of a second to generate a perception, meaning that if your brain simply registered the world as it was when light hit your retina, your perception would already be outdated. In that fraction of a second, even at a slow walking speed of 1 m/s, you would have moved 10 cm. Now imagine running or catching a ball—reacting to the past wouldn’t cut it.”

Six women posing for a group photo in casual outfits, showcasing confusing optical illusion effect.

Ice formation resembling a car front grille, creating a seriously confusing visual illusion in a parking lot.

Dog holding a cluster of pine cones, creating a seriously confusing optical illusion of a strange mouth.

“To compensate, your brain has evolved to anticipate the immediate future,” Changizi continues. “Instead of rendering a perception of the past, it predicts what will happen next and generates a perception of that future moment. By the time the perception is formed, reality has caught up, allowing you to experience the world in real-time.”

Person in a long coat, head obscured, standing on a path, creating a confusing optical illusion.

Confusing pics: TV broadcast shows four people in different locations, with a presenter on the side.

Man hugging child in a bar setting, creating a seriously confusing optical illusion with their clothing patterns.

According to Changizi, many optical illusions take advantage of this predictive system.“A common example is illusions featuring radiating lines, which your brain interprets as blur streaks—like those you experience when moving forward, where the visual field expands outward, similar to the Starship Enterprise jumping to warp speed,” he says.

According to Changizi, many optical illusions take advantage of this predictive system.

“A common example is illusions featuring radiating lines, which your brain interprets as blur streaks—like those you experience when moving forward, where the visual field expands outward, similar to the Starship Enterprise jumping to warp speed,” he says.

Man appears to float above the ocean next to an upright surfboard, creating a seriously confusing optical illusion.

A firefighter standing on a fire truck ladder appears giant compared to the group of firefighters below, creating a confusing illusion.

Frost patterns on a car window form a mountain-like scene, creating a seriously confusing visual illusion.

“If you were actually passing through a tall cathedral door, for instance, its sides would appear to warp in your visual field in exactly this way—far apart at eye level but converging higher up,” says Changizi. “Your brain applies that same warping perception here, even though you’re standing still, creating the illusion.”

Confusing image of a soccer player being poured with beer while holding a tall glass during a celebration.

Two individuals sitting on a beach, creating an optical illusion with a doll in a bag, causing a double take.

Three people standing in a field, with vibrant autumn trees, posing for a seriously confusing photo.

You might think that falling for illusions means your brain is making a mistake, but that’s not the case. In fact, these illusions prove just how advanced our brains are.“These illusions reveal how your brain processes the world in real-time,” Changizi says. “While illusions may trick you in controlled settings, in everyday life your brain is constantly receiving optic flow and other cues about how the world will change in the next moment. By using those cues to generate a perception of the immediate future, it allows you to experience the present instead of lagging behind.”

You might think that falling for illusions means your brain is making a mistake, but that’s not the case. In fact, these illusions prove just how advanced our brains are.

“These illusions reveal how your brain processes the world in real-time,” Changizi says. “While illusions may trick you in controlled settings, in everyday life your brain is constantly receiving optic flow and other cues about how the world will change in the next moment. By using those cues to generate a perception of the immediate future, it allows you to experience the present instead of lagging behind.”

Wooden surface with an abstract, confusing carved design that might require a double take.

Person in teal jacket tending garden, creating a confusing optical illusion with tree in suburban yard.

Confusing optical illusion of a lake appearing above a sea cliff, prompting a double take.

“This predictive mechanism is essential for navigation, coordination, and reacting quickly to your environment,” he adds. “In short, the same system that makes illusions possible is what allows you to function seamlessly in the real world.”

Autumn leaves in a cemetery create a confusing visual with vibrant orange tree and rows of headstones.

Confusing tire marks on a road create an optical illusion, requiring a double take to figure out the vehicle’s path.

Confusing pic of wolves in a book creating an optical illusion that might require a double take.

Now, while we tend to call any tricky image an “optical illusion,” the photos in this list don’t actually fall into that category. What you’re seeing are ambiguous illusions, which work differently.

Confusing image of a girl’s face seemingly combined with another, creating an optical illusion.

Woman in a field beside a concrete structure, with a mysterious reflection creating a confusing optical illusion.

Woman sitting on a tricky chair optical illusion, four people at a dining table.

Take the illusion of the cat and the chicken—you’ll spot it somewhere between the lines. At first glance, it looks like one bizarre creature, a cat’s head seamlessly attached to a roasted chicken’s body. But after a moment, you realize that it’s just a cat sitting behind the bowl. Still, your brain keeps switching back and forth, unable to fully shake the first interpretation.

That’s the key difference:

View of a city skyline with a ceiling light reflection resembling a UFO, creating a confusing visual effect.

Confusing pic of two dogs in a mossy forest, one perched on a branch, the other on the ground in an orange vest.

Man standing behind a clear podium, smiling, wearing a blue shirt and striped tie, with a screen displaying text behind.

At the end of the day, whether an illusion isopticalorambiguous, they both do the same thing: mess with your brain in the most fascinating way. And let’s be honest, sometimes getting tricked is half the fun. So next time you stumble upon one, take a moment to appreciate just how weird and wonderful human perception really is.

A burger with a large tongue-like bacon slice, creating a confusing visual requiring a double take.

Confusing pic of a person in a hood peeking over an airplane seat near a beverage cart.

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A man stands by a motorcycle with a tree aligned behind him, creating a confusing visual effect.

A floating rock illusion over calm water with grass, creating a seriously confusing visual effect.

Couple in white poses playfully in front of a grand cathedral, creating a seriously confusing optical illusion.

Stacked red chairs in a corner, creating a confusing optical illusion.

Smoothie bottle resembling a finger with nuts and raspberries, creating a seriously confusing optical illusion.

Abandoned corridor with confusing architecture, requiring a double take to understand its structure.

Man holding a mirror in a bathroom creating a confusing visual illusion with a reflection.

Confusing image of person sitting in an unusual position on airport chairs, appearing visually perplexing.

Illusion created by a large stick insect on a driveway at night, confusing perspective from a garage viewpoint.

Skyline with sunset reflections creating confusing silhouette illusions in the sky over a city.

Confusing image of an apartment building with optical illusion from stair shadows creating a puzzling visual effect.

Confusing pic of a cat using an inhaler mask held by a person, requiring a double take.

Crowd at a sports event, capturing a moment that might require a double take due to the diverse expressions.

Orange mug with confusing handle placement, requiring a double take on a shelf.

Confusing pic of a cat’s face split by glass, creating an optical illusion in a kitchen setting.

Couple smiling at event while a third person appears to hold a cake oddly, a seriously confusing perspective.

Colorful bags that appear cartoonish, displayed under a sign reading “Yes They Are Real,” creating a confusing double take.

Confusing image of a small dog perfectly aligned with a large dog’s tail, creating an optical illusion on a tiled floor.

Couple posing in front of a reflective sculpture creating a confusing optical illusion effect, with people mirrored in background.

Close-up of a wasp on a doorbell camera lens, creating a seriously confusing perspective.

Confusing pic of a person with long hair and two dogs by a lake, appearing as a single creature.

Cat seemingly drinking from a cup with an optical illusion of a human nose, creating a confusing image.

Confusing pic of a person wearing an Adidas shirt, with an extra hand appearing mysteriously.

Confusing gym pic with a mirror reflection, making it appear someone is outside.

Three people creating a confusing optical illusion in a store aisle, requiring a second look.

Man and child at beach, optical illusion makes arms appear confusingly intertwined, wearing a “Football Fan” hat.

Confusing image of power lines tangled above a Dia store entrance in a parking lot.