40 Seriously Confusing Pics That Need To Be Looked At Twice To Understand What’s Happening (New Pics)
Sometimes, when we watch a psychological movie or visit an illusion museum, we may feel like our mind is playing tricks on us. But when we finally solve the puzzle behind the illusion, it brings us an amusing "a-ha!" moment that makes us feel good about ourselves.
It's fascinating to see something, think it's one thing, and then discover what it actually is. The subreddit 'Confusing Perspectives' is all about that experience. Here, members share mind-boggling photos and artwork that play with angles, scale, and composition, creating stunning illusions that can deceive even the most perceptive eye. We welcome you to dive into this surreal realm and have your mind pleasantly bewildered as we've gathered our favorite posts from the group. Be sure to upvote the ones that made you look twice... or thrice!
This post may include affiliate links.
Trippy
This doesn't belong, That lake actually DOES hang over the ocean like that.
Load More Replies...That's when Mother Nature was young and picky. Couldn't have her items touching on the same plate.
Here's another angle: https://www.alamy.com/sorvagsvatn-lake-and-bosdalafossur-waterfall-on-vagar-island-aerial-view-faroe-islands-image330389560.html
There has been a problem rendering your earth simulation. Please reboot the program to try again.
Amazing until those cliffs erode. Then I suppose there will be a spectacular waterfall.
Seeing is believing, right? Well... not exactly, what you see may not be what you think you see. "Your senses gather information and send it to your brain. But your brain does not simply receive this information - it creates your perception of the world", the American Museum of Natural History defines optical illusions on their page. This goes to show that your brain can fill in gaps or create images that aren't really there. And the reason for that is evolution: "survival depends on fast reactions. Your brain has evolved to work quickly to piece together whatever bits and fragments it can get - and to do its best to figure out the rest."
Skiers Looking Like Music Notes
What;s awesome is that because they're all on the lines, they're all in the same 7th chord: this will sound very nice when you play it. (The one exception, a high G, is the same note as the lowest note.) (And yes, I'm interpreting some sort of shadow as the E line.)
I was wondering if someone musical could interpret it somehow meaningfully just out of interest.
Load More Replies...My apologies, in US English those are "cross-country skiers"
Load More Replies...Quick, stick it into one of those electronic piano apps and see how it sounds.
G7. Not sure of the key, so it could be Gm7, G7 or Gmaj7. (The again, it could also be bass clef...)
Load More Replies...This is a photo by the artist Haukur Sigurdsson. https://haukursig.is/ The least you can do is credit them if you're using without their permission!
The Moon Looks Like Saturn
Our brain is like a brilliant, blind supercomputer - it's highly intelligent but cannot see. It's just a clever blob! When we see things, our eyes send information to our brains for interpretation. The brain takes shortcuts and edits images before we consciously become aware of them. Optical illusions use these shortcuts to deceive or trick our brains.
A Photo Of Cemetery Looks Like 2 Images Stitched Together
if you look closely, you can see all the kids that vaped in middle school.
Blankat
Shot this one at the North Pole. Or the South Pole. One of the two. Not sure what it is - biologists were stumped - but it's clearly the last of its kind. That's why I had it made into a rug. For posterity, you know.
Charge Your Electric Cat Here
I mean, the Tesla logo is supposed to look like a cat's nose (according to Musk; I'm kind of ashamed that I know this)
Don't be ashamed, consider it a cat fact, and that's the only reason we know.
Load More Replies...But wait, why is there a charging cable sprouting out the back of a car?
There are many different kinds of illusions, like figure-ground illusion or depth perception illusion. Figure-ground illusion is when an image with an unclear distinction between the figure and the background can cause our minds to switch back and forth while trying to comprehend it.
Why My Building Is Not Playing
I had to zoom in to see what was going on. Apparently, this is a commercial skyscraper in London called The Scalpel.
The one on the left is called The Walkie-Talkie (the one that fries cars) and the curved one behind the tower block with the vertical white strip is called The Gherkin. We also have The Shart, sorry, Shard, but not in this photo.
Load More Replies...Not got Lie... did not read the caption, but did try to press play lol
I glanced at the picture before I read the title and thought I don't want to watch a video 😕🤣
Wonder what would happen if you did? Do you suppose the buildings would start to wiggle and dance, and then they'd turn around and we'd see they all had big red lippy smiles and googly eyes?
I was literally going to press the play button... while reading the caption .
Obama Using His Powers
He worked magic with this country. People seemed happier, the US regained lost respect. Most importantly, the US had a President who was incredibly intelligent. And then...
Well, the MAGA types blast Jill Biden for revealing that she earned a doctorate.
Load More Replies...Flintstone Jet?
That little nozzle thing is actually a brontosaurus rib rack holder.
If i recall, it's the probe for mid-air refueling. If you were wondering.
Load More Replies...* I know the air force is economising because of fuel prices, but how do they expect me to do my job? *
One of the most well-known examples is the Rubin vase illusion, where you may see either two black faces or a white vase. Another instance is the Canadian flag illusion, where you may perceive a red maple leaf or two faces arguing head to head in white. These illusions play with our perception, creating captivating visual effects that challenge our understanding of reality.
No This Is Not Cannibalism
What is it then? Feline lovemaking? Thanks; I'll do it the standard way.
This Crane Looks Like Its Wearing My Sneakers
The crane looks like he’s trynna bargain for them sneaks. “Aye, aye, now I can go as high as 10 fish for them kicks. And that’s a good deal right there, cuz I’ve seen you humans out here trynna catch fish, and it’s just pitiful to be honest.”
The Perfect Pick Pocket
Tess Jones wasn't sure she wanted to take the last name of her fiance, Charles Tickle, when they got married.
Load More Replies...She is not, the long arm of the law! She is a criminal in training for pocket Olympics!
Another kind of illusion is the depth perception one. Our brains are used to perceiving a three-dimensional world, where objects higher in our visual field appear larger and farther away. The Ponzo illusion takes advantage of this by placing two parallel lines over converging lines on a two-dimensional surface. This creates a sense of depth, making it seem like the higher yellow line is larger. However, both yellow lines are the same size. It's a fascinating trick that shows how our brain interprets visual information and can be deceived by certain visual cues.
This Colorado Farmland Is Flat But Looks 3D After The Snow Was Blown Around
The eastern 1/2 of the state is flat (as shown), the western 1/2 is the Rockies. Amazing scenery.
Load More Replies...This Cat Emerging From A TV
In seven days, you will awake to a wet hairball.
Load More Replies...Still can't quite resolve it. I can see the tail on the left, but not the back legs.
This cat is not completely white: look at the color of the tail. The back legs are darker, more grey like the tale.
Load More Replies...Seriously, what am I looking at... Is she exactly 2 colors divided in half? Never believe it... Help me... I'm shrinking...
They’re Really Good Friends
nobody: the homophobic boys at my school who swear they're straight
Just helping a fellow bro scratch an itch, honest!
Load More Replies...OK... but what IS happening? Lady, if you gotta go pee that badly, we can take the photo later....
If you want to create optical illusions and make objects in photos appear larger, smaller, farther, or closer than they actually are, you should explore the technique called 'Forced Perspective.' It's commonly used in photography, filmmaking, and architecture. It tricks our eyes into seeing something that seems impossible, but with creativity, we can make it look real.
Don't Worry, It's Just A Sunset Reflection
That's a reflection of a fire not a sunset. If it's a sunset, where's the ambient lighting from those rays on that building..
Ducking hell I would have had a heart attack if I saw this from my home
Dog In The Clouds
It might be the basement with an overground window
Load More Replies...We were dyslexic all this time! There really is a Dog! Now I do believe in Dog! In Dog We Trust!
Hiker Got Tired And Needed A Ride
and here we have the moment a youngling hiker carefully carrying its young to the feeding grounds. the youngling will spend its first 3 months in the pouch, only emerging to feed. once it reaches maturity the mother will close the sack and take it to its own territory where it will continue the life cycle of the hiker. this has been david attenborough for the bbc
Most women carry their men through this life. Thanks for tolerating us.
They had a few drinks at the last rest stop. Now he's completely legless.
You have to make a plan for how you will take a photo, prepare an interesting pose, and most importantly - practice the composition you want to achieve. Place objects in the right locations, move the camera slowly to connect them, avoid using a tripod to have more flexibility and position the subject you want to appear larger closer to the camera, and the one you want to appear smaller farther away. Lastly, use a high zoom, opt for a higher aperture (essential for depth of field), and experiment with focus and various angles to capture the best Forced Perspective shots.
Centaur
They wouldn't, the legs are a horses, and horses don't wear jeans
Load More Replies...Sea Disk
Cat
This looks like Peter Pan as a tomcat has finally caught his shadow, which surrenders kind of like, »well then, sew us back together«...
So, whether you're an illusion enthusiast, an artist seeking inspiration, or simply someone eager to explore the realm of visual trickery, we hope some of these posts got you intrigued and inspired. Witness the world through a whole new lens by continuing to scroll through the rest of the 'Confusing Perspectives' posts. Continue the adventure of perception by checking out our previous post about the online community here.
A Man Walking His Gigantic Cat
I always knew those stories about escaped pumas roaming the UK were true!
Tall Building Without Window
Me too. It gives me The Mist vibes. And there are quite a few supermarkets from this chain in my city. Ominous!
Load More Replies...I can't tell if some of the comments are sarcasm or serious. I see a gray building that stops behind the power lines and then a gray sky that extends upwards. Although I had to Google if it was grey or gray. As an American, I should like the "gray" but grey looks better IMO
B2 Bomber Makes It Look Like The Sky Didn't Load Properly
If you see that thing flying over you, it’s probably too late for whatever is about to happen next.
A few pieces missing from that jigsaw puzzle you bought at a garage sale...
Typical.. they always release open worlds before they are ready and then we can wait months for a major patch. Damn you, EA !
Just A Ship Passing By (Xpost Pics)
100% Might've gotten by if it weren't for these meddling kids.
Load More Replies...* Rod Stewart sings * "We are flying, we are flying, home again, across the skies..."
These Cows Are Small, But Those Cows Are Far Away . . . (Ikyk)
"Ok one last time... These are SMALL. The ones out there are FAR AWAY"
Latest model in Papo's Farm Life Series. This one's so realistic you can almost smell the cow pies!
Cat Beheaded
I'm guessing it's removable to better fit into things, can be re-installed.
Load More Replies...The head basket makes a nice touch - like a 'nod' to the French Revolution.
Log Dog
Petrol Head Goldie
It Looks Like A Mockup Or A Giant, But It's Just Me On The Second Floor Of The College
If it is in a particularly arid climate, it makes sense.
Load More Replies...It is not how the college looks, but what it does, and all the learning it contains, as each student comes and goes, they take much with them, leaving a little of themselves behind, so when there is a lull, we can see how worn and loved the college is, by what it wears, and how it grows. Kindness and knowledge, are what we ask for, and a chance to be a part of all it is, and does. KLL 2023
Couple Kidnap Lady In A Sports Direct Bag!!
To be fair, the Sports Direct bags are big and strong enough to do this.
Sky And Paint Same In Colors
I must not fear. Fear is the little death that brings total oblivion.
Load More Replies...guys, the title is incorrect. This is just Harry Potter's invisibility cloak in a muggle town (lol)
Bird Person
Wow, and here I thought Hieronymus Bosch was just making up all that stuff he painted!
Waving Hello
Man Playing Billiards On My Car
This comment is amazing
Load More Replies...I'd have said something, but the guy was my boss. I was completely snookered.
What Real Love Looks Like
The guy has a farmer's tan and the top of his arms is lighter than the bottom. Focus on the armpit, then you'll see the girl's arm
Awww, this was before she grew a torso and he just had to carry her around <3
Clearly, this couple has opted to take arms against a sea of troubles. Don't judge them. Its better than suicide.
I Guess She Must Have A Cold Hand?
Took me a minute. The girl on the left has an asymmetrical cut-out on her dress, which shows her bare shoulder.
No I think that lady in the middle has a bad a*s spike arm
Load More Replies...All of them look like they should be in a movie. The centre one is the main character who moved back to her mother's farm to revaluate her life after she realised she doesn't love her fiancé or her fast-paced city life. The one of the left is her quirky sister who will take her to the local farm festival where she will meet a perfectly good looking and sensitive cowboy who will make her realise she needs to chill, get reacquainted with herself and slow things down. The one on the right, her mother, a divorced wise kind old soul with a wicked sense of humour who will make things awkward when the guy comes home for dinner.
Actress Nancy Travis on the right. Unsure who the other two are.
Load More Replies...Also, famous actress! Nancy Travis, and Josie Bisset, Last man standing, Three men and a baby!
This Dog
My guess is there is something in the front seat and the dog is laying on top. You see his tail and hind leg hanging over the window
Load More Replies...Two Women With An Extra Arm
Thank you! Yours is the first comment I saw mentioning mirrors. Until then I just didn't see it.
Load More Replies...🤦♀️ dee da dee, thanks for the help fellow pandas..I was doing so well deciphering most of the pics in this thread thus far, guess my brain wanted to remind me who's in control lol
Luella's extra arm really came in handy at her job with the nail salon.
I had to read the comments. I couldn't figure out where the arm came from!!
Before I even looked below, the typical nail salon mirrored desk, and saw what the hubbub was about, I knew automatically what the situation was.
Napping Comfortably
Don't wanna brag, but I can read IKEA directions better than whoever put her together
there is somebody sitting on the far end of the chair, you can see their legs and I imagine they're laying on the person who looks as if they're tangled up, but is actually bending sideways laying on top of the girl(the person sitting on the far end)who is laying on this person's legs.
luckily their shirt colors are just different enough to puzzle it out... and the feet at the end :)
Load More Replies...Joy fell asleep while awaiting her interview with Cirque du Soleil. By the time she woke up, she'd already been signed on, and they told her to report to HR to collect her first paycheck.
A Photo I Took In Atlanta
It’s A Mud Bath
Babey
Baby's left hand is behind head. What you think is left arm is actually left leg.
Someone didn't follow the assembly instructions correctly!
Cat Or Bird?
Hen With To Many Legs
This Is Not What You Are Thinking It Is
I am thinking it's a lady in a bikini laying with her legs apart and a black cat lying between them. So what actually is it?
I see no bikini but yes, apart from that it seems pretty clear. Not sure what else you could see here.
Load More Replies...It looks like it *could* be the panties of a lady. But it looks most like a black cat laying on the ankles of someone.
So it is not a black cat after all but your underpanties, Mrs. Lecherous?
Swimsuit
Not Two Separate Pictures
This tears it: Canada really IS just a gorgeous apartment above a meth lab.
“Crossing Over”, Photographed By Kenichi Ohno. Yes, This Is Not Photoshopped
too much time to understand :D on the left, water, on the right, a wall
On top right there is a building, and down you see its reflecition in the water. Took me some time, but I guess its amazing. Cool picture!
I think the orange “water” is actually a painted wall or building and the blue water is where the wall/building ends
Load More Replies...Cat Impaled
this cat took "if i fits i sits" to a whole new level 💀
This Concrete Pad
I rationally know what s going on, but I can't actually see it. Any tips?
It’s the 45° angles on the edges that make the sloping driveway look square…
It kinda looks like a 3d block, it took me a min to realize what the illusion was
Load More Replies...Baby Face
Her head never grew into her body. Possible sister to Captain Baby Arm?
Birds Are Drones. Confirmed
Two Cats On The Street
Four Eyed Deer
For A Split Second, I Thought Derek Truck’s Guitar Cable Was Coming Out Of My TV And I Was Very Confused
Victorious Kneeling Giant
Skipped Leg Day
Odd shadows, and the rear (right) leg appears to continue along the shadow line on the other one whereas it actually goes behind it and is presumably of more normal proportions.
Load More Replies...Surprised this one didn't make the top (whatever number is was.) This one is very good, plus I've never seen it before.
Hovering Bride
Saves on having to decide on whether to have pretty shoes or comfortable ones….
Didn't Know My Leg Had Been Amputated
I can work out where his right foot is (legs crossed) and guess the pale leg + shadow + thing on table makes his lower leg blend, but cannot work out why the middle of his shin has such a clear "looks like amputated" shadow.
I think it's because of the placement of the white bag on the table in front of him. It removes the back of the leg, which would make it easier for your eye to tell your brain where the leg is
Load More Replies...His left foot is crossed over his right foot and where it crosses, there is a towel or something on his right shin.
Close a gap and you will see! Put your pinky finger on the spot where the amputated right leg seems to end and then you'll realize it's the shirt on the table creating this messy visual confusion.
Kick Back And Relax
Had to look this one up. "The Pallas's cat (Otocolobus manul), also known as the manul, is a small wild cat with long and dense light grey fur, and rounded ears set low on the sides of the head." Native to mountainous areas of central Asia, from the Caspian Sea to Beijing. Why have I never heard of this?
Load More Replies...The Clouds Shadows Make It Look Like They're Floating Islands
I want to visit that closest one - it looks like it has a great beach! And it definitely won't be crowded. :)
Wow These Costumes Are Getting So Realistic
A Hulking Praying Mantis
Just A Kiddo In The Bubble
A Deformity
Image I Took 3 Years Ago While Helping My Dad With Roofing Work
Window waiting to be installed. The "shadow" is something underneath the window.
Load More Replies...That Kid Is Going Places
I'm always amazed at babies who will let you put a bow on their head and leave it there. Every kid I know will rip off a hat the second it touches them!
What The Hell?
Without being told these were their own feet, I honestly don't know how long it would've taken for me to figure it out..
Feet pressed together within the purple "scarf." They just look like shriveled sweet potatoes. Woman in back right seems to have washed her feet before the exercises began.
It Shouldn’t Bend Like That
The thigh of the weird leg belongs to to the lady in yellow, the shin and foot belong to the lady in blue.
Load More Replies...Surreal Puddle In A Parking Garage
oh thanks i didn't understand what they mean by PUDDLE /sic
Load More Replies...Estonian Javelin Thrower Magnus Kirt Impaling Himself
Ouch
Unintentionally Seductive…
Reflection Of A Water Tower
Explanation: The Rock Is Just Reflecting In Some Water That You Can't See Because Of Fog
This Is Not A Little Person Ice Skating
Fleshball, Smells Great
Well the top part is our President. The hands might be his, too. Don't know about the rest...
bald guy sitting in front, head in hands, with a long lens that's compressed the depth to make it seem like it belongs to guy behind.
Load More Replies...The Invasion Has Already Begun
Everything Starts To Look Like Food When I Skip Lunch
A Furniture Delivery Truck Parked Behind Me On Lunch Break
Hidden By Tattoo
An Awkward Prom Pose…?
The Ice On The Trees Looks Like A Reflection In The Water Or Clouds
Sexy Legs (And Also, Cute Dog)
So much going on here. Lady has a baby leg, or guy has one large leg and a skinny one while wearing a bikini. White pants legs belong to no one, and the dog looks high.
Two Giants Standing Over Tiny Fields
Thought It Was A Stuffed Animal
Shrunken Head
Building Caused A Shadow To Line Up Perfectly With A Light Pole
Announcer's Cuff Gives Dustin A Full Head Of Hair
The Cat Is Quite Tall, Like An At-At Walker From Star Wars
We always say "stretchy legs" when they do this. :)
Load More Replies...Which One Is The Correct One?
This Picture If A Friend Hiking Makes Him Look Like A Giant Sitting Amongst Mountains
Which Way Is Up
Soulless Being Or…
No comments on the guy in the foreground? I personally think he's the best part of the picture! "Wtf are you looking at!"
Get Ready For A Tiny Guy Way Up High
Set Up This Beautiful Miniature Living Room For My Cat And She Chooses To Sit On The Rug
I Opened Up A Secret Door Behind A Book Case And It LED Me To This (Oc)
remind me of the secret place of gaston lagaffe ! <3 KX6vCpw-64...90-png.jpg
What The Guard Doin?
Longest Finger?
That’s Not Her Arm
My Dog's Legs
Fancy Turban
This Picture Of My Cousins Looks Like Two Pictures Pieced Together
Relaxing On Waterside
Belgian Soldier Caked Up
Took This Pic Yesterday The Sides Of The Buildings Were The Exact Same Colour Of The Sky
City In The Sky
Pillars Casting Their Own Shadows Looking Like They Are Hollowed Out
I'm Confused
The Rock Taking A Selfie Of Himself Gleefully Backhanding A Fan
Velociraptor, Double Jointed Or Broken
For some reason I couldn't see what was "wrong" about it, took me a bit to finally see it and now it's harder to unsee it..lol 🤷♀️
Thought These Dividers Were See Through
A Huge Hole In The Ocean?
IMO, it's a green wall with dryer vent hole that needs to be cleaned out.
Load More Replies...Can Anyone Explain This? Lol … So Creepy … (I Was Not The Shadow) …
So the angles of the lights are creating the bike's shadows if this is unclear...
It's like when you put the flashlight under your chin while you're telling a ghost story.
Banana Flower...i Think?
This Building Having Trouble Loading Textures
Fishing Trip
The guy in the back could not make the trip so his friends did bad photoshopping to add him in the fun.
Eshima Ohashi Bridge, Japan - Actually Just 6.1% Gradient
Mountains usually indicate some tectonic activity, so....
Load More Replies...A Woman Stuck To A Man
and howd that happen eh? yknow what dont answer that we know
We Visited Craters Of The Moon And Took A Photo In The Cave. It Looks Like We Are Standing In Front Of A Green Screen…
The Shine On This Filing Cabinet Makes It Look Like It's Fading Away
Is The Chair Facing The Water Or The Grass? Can You See It Both Ways?
Floating Ship
The Man With 4 Arms
Billionaires Sure Give Tiny Glasses Of Champagne
My Boyfriend Is Installing New Wood Floors On His Stairs, And Sent Me This Picture To Show Off His Progress
There's another set of stairs I think. The photo is taken from a third level and the dark gray is the floor of the second level. You can see the handrail bottom right of the pic in white
Load More Replies...I Thought She Was Wearing Toe Socks
This is exactly why I never wear that color! It looks crazy with my pasty white skin.
