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The world’s weirder than you think. And it can take looking through your camera lens from a peculiar angle for you to finally realize you’re living in Wonderland. Welcome to the wonderful world of illusions and intriguing photography, brought to you by the aptly named ‘Confusing Perspectives’ subreddit.

The 1.51-million-strong r/confusing_perspective subreddit celebrates “puzzling perspectives, confusing angles, and missing context,” and their pics offer a glimpse into how something completely ordinary can look downright bizarre by moving just a few inches. Take a peek at the very best optical illusions shared on the subreddit, and don’t forget to upvote the ones that you enjoyed the most, Pandas. Let us know in the comments which of these made you look twice (or, let’s get real, thrice in some cases). No, that cat isn’t really floating… or is it?!

Are you in the mood for some more puzzling-yet-gorgeous photos? If so, then you really need to make yourself a cup of coffee or tea and check out Bored Panda’s first article about the ‘Confusing Perspectives’ community right over here. It’s the kind of stuff that really makes you want to be a professional photographer, doesn’t it?

Professional photographer Dominic Sberna, from Ohio, was kind enough to share his insights about the importance of perspective with Bored Panda. Check out what he told us as you scroll down, Pandas.

Perspective really is everything in photography (well, alongside lighting, of course).

"The angle of vantage for the photographer can really change an image," photographer Dominic told Bored Panda that changing the perspective can completely change what the photo makes the audience feel.

"It all depends on what you're going for. It's best to play around and try different things to see what looks best and what works best depending on your subject," he urged other photographers, veteran and amateur alike, to experiment and play around with different angles.

#2

Charles Davis Captured This Image Of Australian Budgerigars (Budgies) In A Tree. There's No Leaves

Charles Davis Captured This Image Of Australian Budgerigars (Budgies) In A Tree. There's No Leaves

yeoyoey Report

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James016
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Only posting because its budgies but here is a pic of some budgie care courtesy of my 7 year old Budgie-62d...ab8150.jpg Budgie-62d909dab8150.jpg

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#3

Trees With Christmas Lights Under The Snow

Trees With Christmas Lights Under The Snow

XXmynameisNeganXX Report

Bored Panda wanted to get Dominic's opinion on what photographers ought to do if they've got a project in mind and they're experimenting with perspective techniques they've never tried before. He told us that focus is key here.

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"Make sure to not lose sight of what you're trying to achieve in your image," he told us. "Have a clear goal in mind with what you're trying to convey."

#4

Bert From Sesame Street Spotted On The Street

Bert From Sesame Street Spotted On The Street

tFighterPilot Report

#6

Floating Cat?

Floating Cat?

Flamind666 Report

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engineer_nope.avi
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For all of our friends still confused, the "shadow" is the shadow of the photographer and the cat is laying above it on the couch.

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Meanwhile, photographer Dominic shared some of his thoughts on how to avoid creating confusing perspectives by accident and, instead, create the desired effect.

"Follow the rules of composition and don't make things too small. I have photos of rock climbers at a national park in Nevada, where I personally feel the overall perspective is a bit lost," he said that every professional has some pictures that they now see could have used a bit more work or a few more snaps.

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"Make sure the audience is able to understand what it is they're supposed to be seeing and comparing the perspective to the surroundings at hand," he said.

#7

My Pet Bird Taking A Bath Looks Like It's Being Boiled Alive

My Pet Bird Taking A Bath Looks Like It's Being Boiled Alive

NOCHNOY_ Report

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The ‘Confusing Perspectives’ subreddit recently celebrated its 8th birthday. Around since the ancient era of 2014, the community has grown absolutely massive thanks to the friendly members, competent moderators, as well as the interesting angle (pun totally intended) of the pictures themselves.

Weirdness fascinates us. And in a world where visual media is king, pictures that get us to do a double-take don’t just stand out from the crowd. They go viral. Visual puzzles are fun to figure out, and they make us consider how we could repeat the same effects.

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Obviously, a lot of you Pandas are bound to follow r/confusing_perspective after looking through this list. However, there are some rules that you have to be aware of if you want to be a productive member of their community.

#11

The Clouds Look Like The Ocean

The Clouds Look Like The Ocean

Intermeatconnection Report

#12

Face Off

Face Off

mogulee Report

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G M
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow! My brain really does not like that one. Damn near refuses to see two faces.

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First of all (and not surprisingly), the content has to be on point. The goal of the sub is to feature photos and videos with confusing perspectives. So that’s what you should post. Memes, cartoons, sketches, and anything that’s been modified “to deceive the viewer” will end up removed by the mod team. Low-quality images and screenshots of other Reddit posts are also a no-go.

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Meanwhile, make sure that the title of your post is accurate and descriptive. Try not to mislead other redditors. The titles have to be factually correct and can’t be low-effort. In short, avoid clickbait.

Even if you stumble upon an amazing pic that you think would be perfect for ‘Confusing Perspectives,’ don’t just rush off and post it. Take some time to do a bit of research: check if someone else from the community hasn’t already shared that particular pic recently. The sub shares info in the sidebar on how you can quickly check for reposts.

#14

Thought They Were Miming Their Awards

Thought They Were Miming Their Awards

dbpsyfi Report

#15

From An Ask-A-Vet Group. I Thought It Was About A Birth Defect

From An Ask-A-Vet Group. I Thought It Was About A Birth Defect

Quiet-Overall Report

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Instances of pareidolia, the totally awesome phenomenon where we see faces and familiar shapes everywhere we look, is a bit of a grey area. Sometimes, the mods allow pareidolia-related content if it involved forced perspective (a bit on that below). However, as a rule of thumb, pareidolia pics should be posted on r/Pareidolia.

Forced perspective is a technique that helps photographers create optical illusions by playing around with the size of objects. Pros can change the angle of the pic and make certain people or objects appear larger or smaller than they actually are. This way, they manipulate our perspective and create a lot of fun content. Yup, ‘holding’ the Eiffel Tower or the Tower of Pisa in your hand are two examples of this.

And last of all, the team running the sub asks all members to be civil towards each other. That means no hate, political discussions, or creepy compliments. There’s no tolerance for intolerance in the group.

#17

Dog Reading A Pamphlet On The Bus

Dog Reading A Pamphlet On The Bus

phantomvibrations Report

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#18

The Flying Catmobile

The Flying Catmobile

lofoforos Report

Some of the photos shared on r/confusing_perspective are downright spooky. It almost feels like we’ve stepped into The Twilight Zone (or accidentally proved the existence of The Matrix… or both!).

A while back, Bored Panda spoke with Doug Murano about why people love weird content and have such a fascination with the supernatural. Doug is an award-winning editor and writer, and knows why mystery, horror, and strangeness are such huge hits.

"I suspect that most of us—regardless of our spiritual beliefs—have a longing for something beyond this life. Human beings seem to be pre-programmed with this urge," he shared with Bored Panda.

"My professional expertise is limited to fiction, but I'll say this: I've seen enough real magic and wonder in the world to make me think twice about whether the supernatural is real—and I think that's a healthy thing. It's perhaps less important to believe any given tale than it is to remain open to experiences while leaving room in your head and in your heart for belief."

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#20

It's Not A Guy Putting His Hand In The Front Of His Friends Pants

It's Not A Guy Putting His Hand In The Front Of His Friends Pants

Schwarzmodh Report

Meanwhile, let’s circle back a bit to pareidolia. Previously, Bored Panda spoke about the phenomenon with Professor Kang Lee, from the University of Toronto.

"Pareidolia illustrates the interaction between the visual cortex and the frontal cortex of the human brain. It suggests that our brain is highly sensitive and expecting to encounter and process some special classes of objects in our environment because they are biological and socially important to our adaptions to the environment," he said.

#22

My Friend Learning To Snowboard

My Friend Learning To Snowboard

Mystical_Cat Report

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#24

Never Skip Arm Day

Never Skip Arm Day

SteamedHaam Report

"For example, when you are walking in a dark street in the evening, your brain is on high alert to detect whether any threat will jump out any moment. In this case, you are more likely to have face or human pareidolia because it is important for you to err on the side of caution if you mistake a tree as a human being,” the professor explained to Bored Panda.

“For some people, their frontal cortex’s expectation for certain objects (e.g., faces) become so high that they see faces in many situations where no faces exist. Even in this kind of situation, it is normal. There is nothing wrong with these individuals," he said.

#26

Truck Looks Like It Has A Possum Logo

Truck Looks Like It Has A Possum Logo

Ih8hate Report

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"Pareidolia is different from paranoia or delusion or abnormal vision of individuals with psychosis. In fact, a recent study shows that those people with pareidolia tend to be more creative. Also, people who are religious may be able to see religious icons in non face objects as well."

According to the professor, our imaginations (centered in our frontal cortex) greatly affect our perception (based in the visual cortex, in the occipital lobe). Pareidolia, according to Professor Lee, proves that "what we see are not things over there in the world but actually the co-creation of what is out there physically and what is in our mind mentally through our expectations and imaginations."

#28

8 Hours Worth Of Detailing A Black Car

8 Hours Worth Of Detailing A Black Car

gemao_o Report

#29

Thought This Was A Picture Of A Guy Swimming In The Ocean

Thought This Was A Picture Of A Guy Swimming In The Ocean

LurkingAlpaca Report

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"Pareidolia is a broader phenomenon as it extends to touch and sound and other sensory channels. For example, you sometimes sense your phone vibrating when it is not, it is a tactile form of pareidolia. When you hear voices in a noisy environment, it is an auditory form of pareidolia."

#33

Guy Behind Wife Snuck His Rather Large Hand On Her Shoulder, While Kid Behind Me Cupped A Feel Around My Love Handles

Guy Behind Wife Snuck His Rather Large Hand On Her Shoulder, While Kid Behind Me Cupped A Feel Around My Love Handles

SammoB Report

#35

Wait, Where Are We Going?

Wait, Where Are We Going?

Okay-Look Report

#36

This Man Is Really In Tune With Nature

This Man Is Really In Tune With Nature

MCA1910 Report

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#37

Sailing Through The Sky

Sailing Through The Sky

sadturtle12 Report

#40

Buff Dog

Buff Dog

SIRoA Report

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engineer_nope.avi
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Took me a while to get it but the 'spine' is actually the tail and the arms are back legs.

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#41

My Dog & I Recreated Van Gogh’s Smoking Skull Painting With Fabric, Clothes Etc. Original Painting On The Left, Our Recreation On The Right

My Dog & I Recreated Van Gogh’s Smoking Skull Painting With Fabric, Clothes Etc. Original Painting On The Left, Our Recreation On The Right

WearyFrog Report

#44

Lahaina Noon When The Sun Shines From Directly Above In Hawaii

Lahaina Noon When The Sun Shines From Directly Above In Hawaii

equiinferno Report

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#47

We Can Now Project The News Into The Sky

We Can Now Project The News Into The Sky

laudida Report

#48

A Girl Lying Back Against A Dog

A Girl Lying Back Against A Dog

DelWentilator Report

#49

Camouflaged Road In Finland During The Continuation War (June 27, 1941)

Camouflaged Road In Finland During The Continuation War (June 27, 1941)

Jnsjknn Report

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Shiny Pants
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The trees are hanging across the road to make it not look like a road from above...confuse the spy pilots.

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#50

Those Are Not Grass Pants

Those Are Not Grass Pants

Flimsy_Researcher Report

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Ana Ferreira
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Someone wearing dark pants is standing outside the window to a room with fake grass on the floor. We can see the reflection of the street on the window, but the reflection of the dark pants makes it easier to see straight into the room.

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#54

Sometimes… Life Is A Bed Of Roses

Sometimes… Life Is A Bed Of Roses

Flimsy_Researcher Report

#55

Blanket Lines Up Nicely With My Dog’s Face

Blanket Lines Up Nicely With My Dog’s Face

Skratchy9 Report

#56

This Man Has Unexpectedly Smooth Legs

This Man Has Unexpectedly Smooth Legs

penguin198719 Report

#59

Tim Giving Some Love

Tim Giving Some Love

TheGayTrashcan16 Report

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#61

Bride Legs Over Groom Shoulder's

Bride Legs Over Groom Shoulder's

IMissYouSooMuch Report

#62

Was Told To Post This Dried Coffee Puddle From Last Night Here. Looks Like A Fantasy Map. Also Looks Like It’s Lumpy Or Has Elevation But It’s Completely Flat And Smooth

Was Told To Post This Dried Coffee Puddle From Last Night Here. Looks Like A Fantasy Map. Also Looks Like It’s Lumpy Or Has Elevation But It’s Completely Flat And Smooth

romero3500 Report

#63

It's Embarrassing Until You Realise They're The Reflection Of The Chairs In The Room

It's Embarrassing Until You Realise They're The Reflection Of The Chairs In The Room

4BDUL4Z1Z Report

#64

Above The Clouds

Above The Clouds

Throwaway86747291 Report

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Nathaniel
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sing it! "We're walking in the air, We're floating in the moonlit sky, The people far below are sleeping as we fly."

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#66

The Sun Is A Lightbulb

The Sun Is A Lightbulb

lizziegolucky Report

#68

He Is Thicc

He Is Thicc

brunanass Report

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#71

Dog With Human Legs

Dog With Human Legs

Luxifer9000 Report

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#76

4 Shades Of Blue In One Photo In Antarctica

4 Shades Of Blue In One Photo In Antarctica

Useful_Wolf_7027 Report

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#79

My Brother’s Very Long Arm

My Brother’s Very Long Arm

solipsisticly Report

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#80

My Wife Had Feet The Last Time I Checked

My Wife Had Feet The Last Time I Checked

Aloof-Goof Report

#82

Girl Climbing Through A Metal Bar

Girl Climbing Through A Metal Bar

randumchicken Report

#83

Saw This On Ig

Saw This On Ig

Silvar1 Report

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MiriPanda
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sorry, but my brain is not capable of processing this picture...

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#84

Tennis Player Get His Grandad Courtside Seats By Smuggling Him In His Bag

Tennis Player Get His Grandad Courtside Seats By Smuggling Him In His Bag

Rockyfan123 Report

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Nathaniel
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am more worried about the themed Prince Albert that Andy Murray is sporting.

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#85

Flying Kayak

Flying Kayak

GShockly Report

#86

This Absolute Unit Of A Truck

This Absolute Unit Of A Truck

SchrodingersCatPics Report

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#87

Hotel Hallway Makes Her Look Tiny

Hotel Hallway Makes Her Look Tiny

Relevant_Computer642 Report

#89

Four Legs vs. No Legs

Four Legs vs. No Legs

CharmanderBing Report

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Nathaniel
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Those bottom legs belong to the woman in the yellow top? That cannot be right? Wrong angles? What's happening here?

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#91

Dog With Arms

Dog With Arms

fallacyfallacy Report

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$cagsy
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

*Stroking chin* It's gonna take some fixing squire. It's all rotten under here.

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#92

A Very Hairy Wedding Dress

A Very Hairy Wedding Dress

VisDev82 Report

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Z Alexi
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Xi Jinping made himself Dictator for Life...Chinese people get no vote & are stuck w/this megalomaniac. He's 69 so maybe he'll drop dead & 1.4 billion people will become free~~like Taiwan...if Xi doesn't try to gobble it up. [It has 1/4 of the world's poulation altho India has now surpassed China w/1.5b.]

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#95

A Portal To Another Dimension

A Portal To Another Dimension

absolutelynotright Report

#96

Looking Up From The Lobby Of The Marriott Marquis, Atlanta

Looking Up From The Lobby Of The Marriott Marquis, Atlanta

tripacrossamerica Report

#97

Clear Wheel

Clear Wheel

Unibeetle Report

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Lori Rommel
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These belong on that shiny invisible car that showed up earlier in the post!

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#99

There Is No Water In This Picture

There Is No Water In This Picture

Exotic-Custard-8293 Report

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Jihana
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Huh, that one really got me. Without an explanation I would have sworn that it is a picture of a lake.

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#100

She Does A Lot Of Leg Stretches

She Does A Lot Of Leg Stretches

kabukistar Report

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DrBronxx
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Usually when you look a one of these pictures for an extra second or so, you can figure it out. However, no matter how long I look at this picture, I do not understand it.

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#103

Headless Security Guard Officer

Headless Security Guard Officer

NixothePaladin Report

#104

Dog Has Long Legs

Dog Has Long Legs

Themusicison Report

#105

Highrise Window Washer Using New Footsqueegee™ Technology

Highrise Window Washer Using New Footsqueegee™ Technology

mkraft Report

#107

This Toll Gate In Seoul, Korea

This Toll Gate In Seoul, Korea

SilverHead7 Report

#108

My Dog And His Shadow Decided To Spend Some Time Apart

My Dog And His Shadow Decided To Spend Some Time Apart

BigDende Report

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a_smol_berry
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The dogs under a trampoline, there’s someone on top of it that’s casting the shadow? You can see a brighter spot to the left and another bit of shadow to the right.

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#112

Not Sure If I Was In Lane Number 1 Or 0

Not Sure If I Was In Lane Number 1 Or 0

aliwalisaurus Report

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Triv
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Eventually someone's gonna decide it can't be the Dollar Tree anymore. Personally, I'm pluggin' for the Five-Quarter Store.

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#115

An Unsafe Bridge Across Doggo Chasm

An Unsafe Bridge Across Doggo Chasm

EyeOughta Report

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#116

A Child Hugging His Decapitated Mother

A Child Hugging His Decapitated Mother

FuntCungus Report

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#117

Floating Upper Body

Floating Upper Body

julex Report

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#120

Window Heater Melted The Window

Window Heater Melted The Window

sashatikhonov Report

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#121

Tiny Arm Is Tiny

Tiny Arm Is Tiny

louisrobbins Report

#122

Look At Those Two Buildings In The Background. Which One Is Closer ?

Look At Those Two Buildings In The Background. Which One Is Closer ?

Exotic-Custard-8293 Report

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#127

New Star Wars Show Has Butts Driving Speeders

New Star Wars Show Has Butts Driving Speeders

ScarySpencer Report

#129

What A Fan

What A Fan

Dennis_Gachanja Report

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#130

Looking At This Marble Floor Mosaic At The Santa Maria Del Fiore In Florence, Italy Is Like Gazing At The Light At The End Of A Tunnel

Looking At This Marble Floor Mosaic At The Santa Maria Del Fiore In Florence, Italy Is Like Gazing At The Light At The End Of A Tunnel

toeprint Report

#131

Legs

Legs

EscapeFromSiberia Report

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KDS
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well if the soldier is trying to hide from the enemy they’re not doing a very good job.

#132

A Single Pic Or A Collage?

A Single Pic Or A Collage?

sinmantky Report

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#133

This Broken Wine Glass Looks Like It’s Standing Upwards

This Broken Wine Glass Looks Like It’s Standing Upwards

SamSchw Report

#134

Underwater Pine Trees In A Flooded Canyon

Underwater Pine Trees In A Flooded Canyon

drempire Report

#135

This Empty Microwave

This Empty Microwave

haybe26 Report

#136

Some Dude Does A Peace Sign While Holding A Sign With Both Hands

Some Dude Does A Peace Sign While Holding A Sign With Both Hands

kenthekungfujesus Report

#137

Dua Lipa She Hulk Arm

Dua Lipa She Hulk Arm

Core10thGen Report

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#138

Base Camp Looks Like Scattered Trash

Base Camp Looks Like Scattered Trash

_Volta Report

#139

Photo Of James Webb Space Telescope Makes The Man In The Middle Look Tiny

Photo Of James Webb Space Telescope Makes The Man In The Middle Look Tiny

GeneralMustard2 Report

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