Optical Illusions

As a photographer, I have learned how to use lighting, posing and the like to create optical illusions with the camera. For example, I can light a subject to either add weight to their body or subtract. I can straighten a crooked nose. I can open narrow eyes and close wide eyes. These are just a few examples. And it's all based on how our mind perceives things that it sees. It's a difficult concept to explain to clients who have not studied it themselves but I may have found something to help illustrate.

Well, while visiting Atlanta GA recently my husband and I stopped in at the Natural History Museum and came across an exhibit, an entire room, of optical illusions. We were fascinated and totally enthralled with each and every exhibit. This particular one caught my eye because it is such a good example of how your mind sees exactly opposite of what you're looking at. I've included the explanation for those of you that also find it interesting.

But briefly... the face on the left is normal. The face on the right is concave (meaning it goes away from you and you're looking at the inside of it). Take a look at what your brain does to it: