As a person who has pretty high myopia, I’m used to myeyes playing trickson me. What’s more concerning during hikes is when a person with 20/20 vision next to me points out a bird or some other critter blended in with nature that I didn’t initially see. That’s usually a recipe for a mild heart attack.Simple things can sometimes look more interesting from certain angles, and, luckily for us, there’s an online group where folks document suchphotographs: the Confusing Perspective subreddit. Scroll down if you’re up for some silly and interesting visual surprises!More info:RedditThis post may includeaffiliate links.

As a person who has pretty high myopia, I’m used to myeyes playing trickson me. What’s more concerning during hikes is when a person with 20/20 vision next to me points out a bird or some other critter blended in with nature that I didn’t initially see. That’s usually a recipe for a mild heart attack.

Simple things can sometimes look more interesting from certain angles, and, luckily for us, there’s an online group where folks document suchphotographs: the Confusing Perspective subreddit. Scroll down if you’re up for some silly and interesting visual surprises!

More info:Reddit

This post may includeaffiliate links.

Confusing perspective of a bed with a 3D crochet blanket resembling a series of deep boxes.

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A dog seemingly merged with a cushion, creating a confusing perspective.

Toy figures in a Jeep with a cat and dinosaur create a confusing perspective scene.

People certainly like pictures where their brains trick them into something that isn’t really there. TheForced Perspective subredditcurrently has two million members (or ‘confusers,’ as they call them). There’s one thing to note here, though: the community wants you to know they’re not about pareidolia or things that look like other things.The Redditors here are interested in photos taken from a certain perspective which results in some kind ofoptical illusion. Usually, it’s what photographers call “forced perspective.” Good examples offorced perspectiveare photos people like to take while traveling. They manipulate the scale and depth of objects in order for them to appear smaller or bigger, closer or farther away.

People certainly like pictures where their brains trick them into something that isn’t really there. TheForced Perspective subredditcurrently has two million members (or ‘confusers,’ as they call them). There’s one thing to note here, though: the community wants you to know they’re not about pareidolia or things that look like other things.

The Redditors here are interested in photos taken from a certain perspective which results in some kind ofoptical illusion. Usually, it’s what photographers call “forced perspective.” Good examples offorced perspectiveare photos people like to take while traveling. They manipulate the scale and depth of objects in order for them to appear smaller or bigger, closer or farther away.

Graffiti-covered hallway reflecting in water, creating a confusing perspective.

Confusing perspective image of two hikers, one appearing to wear the other as a backpack, in a scenic outdoor setting.

Confusing perspective: An owl perched on a curtain rod blends into the drapes, creating an unexpected visual illusion.

Who hasn’t fallen into anoptical illusionrabbit hole at 2 A.M. and seen the most popular ones like the classic black and white spiral, the “Rabbit or duck?” picture, or the cafe wall where every line is actually straight but appears crooked? Yet pictures aren’t the only media where our brains can’t tell if what we’re seeing is true or not. Architecture has its fair share of optical illusions, too.

A child hugging a smiling woman in an optical illusion creating confusing perspective.

Confusing perspective with a person appearing to have a dog’s head in a grassy field.

Two black dogs sitting closely, creating a confusing perspective on a rocky terrain.

Another interesting example of forced perspective is the buildings at Disneyland, the Snow White and the Sleeping Beauty castles in particular. The ground stories of both (and many other buildings in Disneyland, for that matter) are full-scale. But all the upper levels get exponentially smaller.

Fluffy black object with an eye, creating a confusing perspective alongside a baby on the floor.

Confusing perspective of a black cat twisted on a couch, creating an optical illusion.

A man and a dog sleeping, creating a confusing perspective where their bodies seem merged.

What’s the point of building the Disney castles with upper stories decreasing in height? Itgives offthe illusion of grandeur; as you enter Main Street USA, the castle looks huge and very far away. Yet when you’re walking back from it towards the exit, the street seems much smaller and that much more manageable.

A couple on a boat with confusing perspective, creating an optical illusion against a scenic water backdrop.

Siamese cats sitting with a confusing perspective, creating an optical illusion.

Man reading newspaper with confusing perspective, creating optical illusion on a train.

Do you know who elseused forced perspectivein architecture? The Ancient Greeks! The Parthenon, for example, has columns that are thicker in the middle than the ends and a slight bulge in their platforms. That’s so that they appear straight from a distance because parallel lines tend to appear to converge. When the columns of a building taper off at the top, the buildings would also appear larger from a distance.

A person appears to be holding a glowing light due to the confusing perspective.

Confusing perspective: A fluffy puppy in a crate with an illusion of having a cat’s body.

Confusing perspective photo of four people seated in a room with framed portraits on the walls.

In optical illusions where the picture messes with our brains' capacity to understand colors, it’s often because of our perception of lighting. Remember the famous debate about whetherthe dresswas black and blue or white and gold? Although it was actually black and blue, many people assumed it was in a shadow and said it was white and gold.

Bride walking with groom, dress creates confusing perspective with horse legs.

Confusing perspective of buildings with angled architecture and a sky backdrop.

Helicopter blade aligned with distant jet; creates confusing perspective.

Today, researcherscan confidently saythat the debate happened because of people’s assumptions about illumination. “Color perception depends on the observers' assumptions and beliefs about the scene,” a conclusion of one study reads. Essentially, people made their decision based on whether they believed that the dress was in a shadow or not.

Confusing perspective in a classroom: stripes align with the chair, creating an optical illusion of a missing back.

Confusing perspective creates an illusion of a building floating above mist-covered houses and trees.

Two men with an optical illusion creating confusing perspectives at a summer gathering.

Optical illusions can open an interesting and somewhat worrying can of worms: our brains can’t always differentiate between reality and illusion. Scientists say that even when we know about the trick behind the optical illusion, we still can’t unsee it. “You can’t seem to consciously override the ‘wrong’ interpretation,” neuroscientist Judy Gardner toldVox.

Confusing perspectives image with contrasting red and dark sidewalk, creating an optical illusion against cityscape.

Snow angel impression on fresh snow, creating a confusing perspective.

A cat sitting with a confusing perspective, creating an optical illusion as if it has human-like legs in jeans.

The reality is that our senses lag behind what’s really happening at the moment. Our brains make predictions based on the information we have, and that’s how we get optical illusions. Neuroscientist Adam Hantman says that our brains predict, and our senses correct. “If you were always using sensory information, errors would accumulate in ways that would lead to quite catastrophic effects on your motor control,” he explained.

Confusing perspective of a child peering through layers of ice with a reflective surface below.

Confusing perspective of a person on a ladder creating an optical illusion with another person on the ground.

Confusing perspectives of wavy skyscrapers against a clear sky.

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Man seated on chair appears to wear high heels, creating a confusing perspective.

Confusing perspective: a hand appears to shape rice piled on a plate, creating an unusual visual illusion.

Confusing perspective shows a dog resembling a thylacine behind a fence, creating an optical illusion.

Cat leaping between rocks, creating a confusing perspective over clear water filled with green moss.

Confusing perspective with a person appearing to have a horse’s head in a grassy field.

“Confusing perspectives: two men appear to be filling a cooler with a hose in an optical illusion."

Woman smiling with a dog wrapped around her neck, creating a confusing perspective.

Confusing perspective of a white wall with vertical pipes that blend in, creating an optical illusion.

Confusing perspective with a crow seemingly perched on a forklift below.

Confusing perspective photo showing people on a street with an unexpected large hole in the foreground.

A man hugs two dogs on a bed, creating a confusing perspective.

Man sitting with towel draped, creating a confusing perspective with his head hidden by a hat.

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Confusing perspectives: a floor pattern appears flat, hiding stairs.

Paraglider above trees with a confusing perspective, creating an illusion of a smoke trail in the sky.

Person balancing on hands with leg outstretched, creating a confusing perspective against a sunny outdoor backdrop.

A black cat on glass creates a confusing perspective with its reflection.

UPS truck appears elongated due to confusing perspective in a lush neighborhood setting.

TV screen displays four people from different cities creating confusing perspective.

Confusing perspective: A horse appears to stand inside a boat on a calm water surface under a clear sky.

Cat sitting in a cozy living room with confusing perspective, featuring a colorful rug and eclectic decor.

Confusing perspectives of stairwell creating optical illusion with ceiling appearing as floor.

Confusing plant perspective resembles a coiled snake in a pot.

Confusing perspectives: A goat with an illusion making it appear two-headed in a natural setting.

Man holding a large, fluffy cat on staircase, creating a confusing perspective illusion.

Couple sitting at a wooden table outdoors, showcasing confusing perspectives.

Confusing perspectives: rooftop with optical illusion of a bent roof, cloudy sky, and cityscape in the background.

Confusing perspective showing fluffy clouds appearing like a snow-covered landscape at sunset.

Confusing perspective at a bus stop with two people seated, surrounded by bicycles and cars.

Confusing perspective of a large aircraft appearing to fly low over a cityscape, creating an optical illusion.

Confusing perspective: A monkey seemingly taking a selfie, with a reflection of a person holding a phone.

Two cricketers in green uniforms appear to collide on the field, creating a confusing perspective.

Woman in red sweater standing in a park with confusing perspective; shadow creates an unusual optical illusion.

Confusing perspective of a dog’s head perfectly aligned with the reflection of human legs below.

Confusing perspective: Lamp appears as man’s head in a busy outdoor restaurant setting.

Confusing perspective of a cat peering through a narrow doorway, with a decorated tree visible outside.

Confusing perspective image showing mirrored landscape with trees and branches, creating an illusion of symmetry.

Confusing perspective of buildings with trees and buses in foreground, creating an optical illusion.

Confusing perspective image of a small object casting a shadow on a shiny surface.

Confusing perspective with a cyclist appearing to ride through a Christmas tree inside a store with an “open” sign.

Four people sitting closely on a red couch, creating a confusing perspective.

Confusing perspective image of a person sitting with arms raised, creating an illusion with a pillow on their lap.

Confusing perspective showing a hand holding a wig styled with a zigzag pattern, creating an optical illusion.

Confusing perspective in desert landscape with distant McDonald’s arches blending into the scenery.

Fluffy puppy on a couch with a confusing perspective.

Confusing perspective of two people and dogs on a couch, with TV showing a Christmas scene in a cozy living room.

Floral wallpaper and window create a confusing perspective with snowy trees and a distant blue jay outside.

Deer grazing in a field, creating a confusing perspective with antlers aligning with another in the background.

Confusing perspective of a hand holding an open Kindle, displaying Chapter Six text, in a cluttered room.

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