Color Pictures and Illusions from Choices and Illusions
An Example of Subliminal Embeds in Advertising (from pages 43 - 48)
WARNING: these pictures are for
adults only and are not appropriate for
children.
By clicking through the following links, you will see a common advertisement, the artist's original conceptualization, the advertisement with the subliminal embeds highlighted and then the actual "subliminal embeds."
Click the image at the right for a larger version of the illustration. |
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Other Illusions in Choices and Illusions
Many of the following illusions are circulated freely on the internet. Where possible, we have included a link to the site where the illusion was created.
Click on any of the thumbnail images below for more details on the illusion.
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This illusion is from page 26 of Choices and Illusions and was reprinted in the book by permission from Antonio Zamora. Visit Mr. Zamora's site to see the original illusion, and many more. |
| When you look at the following picutre, simple stare at the center three dots. Concentrate on those dots for one minute. Stare only at the dots, and after that minute, turn and look at a blank wall. Just gaze at the wall for approximately 45 seconds. Allow yourself to look rather un-focused, but keep your gaze at the same space on the wall. Keep looking at the blank wall, even if you think nothing is going to happen. Something unique will happen, and you should know that this can be done with any number of pictures. What you will see will amaze you, even startle you. | |
The folowing illusion was chosen to demonstrate how emotions can be tangled with illusions. Everyone knows that a thirsty person in the desert can see a mirage (the illusion of an oasis or simply water) and lose rational abilities in favor of desperate emotions. The next illusion is an emotion-laden illusion. It will evoke a strong emotional response in accordance with a line of personal belief system. The illusion may please, it may inspire, it may anger—but the point of the illusion in this context becomes very clear: a simple illusion can evoke strong emotional reactions. Once again, follow the instructions. Stare this time at the center four dots. Concentrate on those dots for one minute. Stare only at the dots, and after that minute, turn and look at a blank wall. Just gaze at the wall for approximately 45 seconds. Allow yourself to look rather un-focused, but keep your gaze at the same space on the wall. Keep looking at the blank wall, even if you think nothing is going to happen. Experience this illusion. |
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| This is the rather famous witches and maiden illusion. At first glance, you will see either a witch or a beautiful young maiden. You are typically unable to see both at the same time—at least with conscious recognition per se. Shift the focus slightly, and the image changes. That is, if you see the witch first, shift focus and you will see the maiden. | |
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Can you see both the face and the vase? |
| If you look closely, you will see a dalmatian with its nose down, sniffing the ground. You can make out the dog’s ear, snout, shoulder, and left leg first, and the rest fills itself in. Once you see the dog clearly, you cannot help but see it. | |
| Our visual reference system often distorts images according to the background. The circle in the center is really a perfect circle. | |
| There are no curved lines in the diagram above. | |
| There are only white circles between the black frames. | |
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This is a classic example of context perception. You probably read, "The Cat." But look closely. What is the difference between the H in the word the and the A in the word cat? Remember, we often make up the context and/or decide on an approved context. |
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The lines above are really equal in length. |
Try saying the colors of each word out loud as you read left to right, top to bottom, as rapidly as possible. Remember, say the colors—you're not to read the words themselves. As you can see, there is substantial interference between the spelling of the word and the color of the type. What should be a simple task becomes quite difficult. |
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| This text circulated on the internet in September 2003. |
