Real-Life Optical Illusions That Tripped Up Our Brains

Our brains are intelligent computers, but that doesn't mean they are exempt from malfunctioning. Our eyes will play tricks on us with certain things we see because our brains can't fully comprehend them.

Please take a look at these real-life optical illusions and try to understand them all.

Tim Duncan Gets A Sniff

tim duncan having a sniff
Photo Credit: Reddit
Photo Credit: Reddit

Wow, Tim Duncan looks like he's sniffing that man on the left. It also seems like he has his hand on his shoulder.

Good thing that isn't the case, or things would be weird in life.

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Someone's Husband Has Tiny Legs

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baby feet on the bench
Photo Credit: Theskinilivein / Reddit
Photo Credit: Theskinilivein / Reddit
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It was the first day of spring in San Diego, so one woman wanted to take a photo of her husband.

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She noticed he had short legs, but that's only their son.

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A Crying Guest

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crying guest on TV
Photo Credit: comicreliefboy / Reddit
Photo Credit: comicreliefboy / Reddit
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Can you imagine bringing a guest on your show, and they break out into tears?

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That would be too much to handle, but thankfully, that person is just the graphic on the wall behind them.

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Left Foot As A Left Hand?

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left hand foot man with dog
Photo Credit: dabear51 / Reddit
Photo Credit: dabear51 / Reddit
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They had to block this guy's face because people would think he was a mutant.

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He's sitting in a way that makes it seem like his left foot is his left hand.

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One Picture Or Two?

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one picture or two
Photo Credit: bayunakim / Reddit
Photo Credit: bayunakim / Reddit
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Do you see one or two pictures when you look at this photo? Do you want to know the real answer?

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I can't tell you because I want you to make your brain do backflips.

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Dog With Two Rears?

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no head dog at the park
Photo Credit: lite_bulb / Reddit
Photo Credit: lite_bulb / Reddit
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Hold on a minute; why does this dog not have a head? Where are his eyes or ears?

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Stare at this as long as you want, but you'll most likely only see two rears.

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Longest Roof Ever

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long roof in the neighborhood
Photo Credit: YeouZ / Reddit
Photo Credit: YeouZ / Reddit
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This has to be the most extended roof in a residential area I've ever seen in my life.

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Well, that's because this angle is confusing. It's really two different roofs you see.

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Cat With Small Arms?

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cat with tiny arms
Photo Credit: B-L-O-C-K-S / Reddit
Photo Credit: B-L-O-C-K-S / Reddit
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Wow, I never knew cats could have small arms like this when they aren't a kitten.

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How long are you going to look at this to try and figure out what's happening?

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Somewhere To Stand?

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shadows on windows look interesting
Photo Credit: bleimanb / Reddit
Photo Credit: bleimanb / Reddit
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The way the shadows hit the windows on this building makes it look like they have mini-patios.

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The building will always look like this at a certain time of the day.

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This Man Can Float

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floating man on street in timbs
Photo Credit: tommytwooo / Reddit
Photo Credit: tommytwooo / Reddit
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I always thought magicians weren't doing real tricks, but this man proved me wrong with this.

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Can you see what's going on or is he really out here floating like this?

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Two Stairs In One?

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shadow stairs look interesting
Photo Credit: JazzFricker / Reddit
Photo Credit: JazzFricker / Reddit
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Do you see two stairs here or just one? There's a shadow hitting them, so your mind is probably all over the place.

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Still, even after knowing the truth, it's hard to visualize it.

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He Must Be Strong

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legs on shoulders of groom
Photo Credit: camhanson / Reddit
Photo Credit: camhanson / Reddit
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Why does it look like she has her legs over his shoulders with a jetpack blowing smoke?

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That most certainly isn't the case, but you can see where the confusion is.

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Water Makes The Tire Flat

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flat tire or not in the water
Photo Credit: remin / Imgur
Photo Credit: remin / Imgur
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Thanks to the dip in water, the reflection sees the real thing, but we see a flat tire.

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This is why you don't mess with Mother Nature. She can do anything.

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Woah! What Is This??

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knee fold looks weird
Photo Credit: Reddit
Photo Credit: Reddit
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A group of friends playing under a green light is always fun, but why is she mooning us?

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Oh! that isn't her behind. Take a closer look and you'll figure it out.

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Must Be The Best Pizza

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floating pizza at the store
Photo Credit: ultraviolencebeam / Reddit
Photo Credit: ultraviolencebeam / Reddit
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If I saw a floating pizza, I would instantly buy it. That would have to be the best one.

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Too bad this one isn't levitating. It's resting on something transparent.

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What Is Going On Here?

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weird hug at the beach
Photo Credit: Blood_Reaper / Reddit
Photo Credit: Blood_Reaper / Reddit
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This picture looks normal from the arms up, but things get interesting as you look at the feet.

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I can't even explain this, but after analyzing it, you'll be able to see the truth.

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Oily Legs Or White Paint?

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wet paint or shiny legs on lady
Photo Credit: onelittleindian / Imgur
Photo Credit: onelittleindian / Imgur
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Do you see oily legs or white paint? It could go either way, but there's only one correct answer.

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I would hate to spoil it, but that's clearly white paint, or is it?

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Does She Have Three Arms?

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Reddit/EndersGame_Reviewer
Reddit/EndersGame_Reviewer
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This one definitely took my brain a minute to understand. It looks like the woman in the red shirt has three hands but we can blame a mirror for tricking us. The front of the desk is a mirror, so what we're actually seeing is the woman in black's reflection of her legs and hands. It looks seamless!

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All Cats Secretly Wish They Were Tigers

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was-told-to-post-this-here-v0-EC8JhQ00Bl1jNHN77T0y2zmyEsnmytH_AypbA_7kiGI
Reddit/SniffyTiger
Reddit/SniffyTiger
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Here's a humorous example of a well-timed photo that reveals a cat's inner wish – to be just as big as a tiger. At first glance, this did actually look like someone had a little miniature tiger running around their home.

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They Said They Are All The Same Height

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Reddit/ItsKourtney95
Reddit/ItsKourtney95
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The angle of these girls in a pool toy is seriously messing with my head. According to the original poster, the girls are all the same height, but because of the perspective and how their legs are positioned, it looks like the girl in the middle is barely reaching the ground. It makes for a funny photo either way.

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The Magical, Floating Bunny

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Reddit/StarLink97
Reddit/StarLink97
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How many of you thought this bunny was defying the laws of gravity? It certainly looks that way, but don't worry – the bunny is safely on the ground. A well-placed shadow just makes it looks like he is hovering on the blanket.

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Those Aren't Bar Stools

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Reddit/immanuellalala
Reddit/immanuellalala
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This might look like a regular photo of bar stools lined up, but take another look. They are actually espresso martinis. Someone is about to have a really good night (or a terrible one). Hopefully, they share and drink lots of water.

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Just A Floating Man

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Reddit/GlitteringHotel8383
Reddit/GlitteringHotel8383
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Here's another photo where it looks like the subject is magically hovering in space. However, in this case, the man is standing on a frozen lake. The environmental conditions made the ice completely transparent, allowing for cool photos like this to happen.

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Sitting On The Edge Of The World

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Reddit/GlitteringHotel8383
Reddit/GlitteringHotel8383
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It looks like these two people are sitting on a cliff high above the clouds, but they are actually safely on the ground. They are sitting near the edge of lake, and the sky is reflected in the water. It's a really cool shot either way!

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Stare Into The Cosmos

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Reddit/U235EU
Reddit/U235EU
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This looks like an impressive shot of a faraway galaxy, but it was taken right here on Earth. In order to get this photo, someone snapped a shot of their campfire in the snow. The light reflecting off the snow gives it a supernatural glow.

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His Hand Is Okay, Folks!

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i-thought-my-friend-broke-his-hand-v0-bbxa5vlamlqe1
Reddit/Frajt123
Reddit/Frajt123
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This photo looks a bit alarming at first because it appears that this guy broke his hand. However, the shadows in the room are just playing tricks on your brain and covering up parts of his hand to make it seem like it is placed at an odd angle.

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The Building Is Fading Away

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Reddit/Chris-the-Big-Bug
Reddit/Chris-the-Big-Bug
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Doesn't it look like this building is slowly fading away and getting sucked into the clouds? This was a lucky shot to get because the clouds just happened to be the exact same color as the building. The photographer had perfect timing.

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Watch Out For The Giants

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Reddit/gentlebrun3ss
Reddit/gentlebrun3ss
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It totally looks like these two men are two giants from another dimension who are ready to cause some major destruction. But in reality, they are just two workers standing on the edge of a vehicle's shovel. Did this picture fool you?

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The Window Isn't Smashed

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the-windshield-is-fine-v0-6di8ts0c5ngg1
Reddit/jimx29
Reddit/jimx29
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At first glance, it looks like this car was smashed and destroyed by an electrical pole, but both the pole and the car are completely fine. The image on the windshield is just a reflection of all the wires hanging overhead, making it look damaged.

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This One Broke My Brain

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Reddit/sylvermyst
Reddit/sylvermyst
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It 100% looks like a cat's head is floating in mid-air, but there is a very simple explanation for what's going on here. The cat is standing on a dresser and poking his head around a door frame. So, the rest of the cat's body is just standing on that dresser on the other side of the wall. Funny how such an everyday occurrence could make for such a confusing photo.

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It's Like They Threw Away The Sky

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Reddit/EndersGame_Reviewer
Reddit/EndersGame_Reviewer
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Don't worry, that isn't a piece of the sky in the trash. It's just a mirror that happens to be reflecting the sky. I'm not sure if this was intentional or not, but this photo could double as a work of art.

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Where Did The Other Chair Leg Go?

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Reddit/GlitteringHotel8383
Reddit/GlitteringHotel8383
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It's the case of the incredible, disappearing chair leg! If you're wondering where it went, we solved the mystery for you. The chair leg is the exact same color as the carpet, allowing it to blend seamlessly and create this cool optical illusion.

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The Sun Is In A Cage

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Reddit/bigbabeonline
Reddit/bigbabeonline
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How did someone manage to trap the sun? Well, I'm sorry to say that this wasn't NASA's latest science experiment. It's just a photo of someone's lamp reflected on a window. Still, it makes for a great shot.

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Just Floating On The Beach

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Reddit/wSekii
Reddit/wSekii
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This is a photo anyone could recreate on their own. It looks like this woman is floating, but that's just a dark-colored hoodie next to her – not her shadow. Now that you know the secret, go ahead and try it yourself to fool your friends.

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Attack Of The Giant Bugs

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Reddit/Additional_Berry_977
Reddit/Additional_Berry_977
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There's no need to panic! We aren't under attack from giant bugs from another planet. This is an example of what happens when a bug just happens to fly in front of your camera lens right as you take the photo.

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There Are Two Dogs Here

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Reddit/Additional_Berry_977
Reddit/Additional_Berry_977
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How many people thought this was a picture of one big dog? Well, as it turns out, there are two furry friends here. They just happened to be lying in the perfect position to trick our brains.

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Where Is He Going?

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Reddit/GlitteringHotel8383
Reddit/GlitteringHotel8383
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It totally looks like this guy is slowly disappearing into the abyss. Well, there are a few things that are going on here. One is that his pants are the exact same color as the water. As well, both of his legs are behind the kids. Together, these factors make for a mind-bending photo.

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A Snow Child

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Reddit/aper4c
Reddit/aper4c
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Wow! Did someone make a super-realistic ice sculpture? Well... not exactly. The person who shared this photo said their kid face-planted in the snow. Oops! At least it made for a cool picture.

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Stare Out On The Open Water

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i-saw-this-posted-on-twitter-v0-nxkwo4hbgrof1
Reddit/ramen_robbie
Reddit/ramen_robbie
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Is it just me or does this photo look like the view from a ship's bow as it sails across an endless body of water? What if I told you that is not what's happening at all and this is actually a close-up shot of some blueberry cheesecake. It totally fooled me.

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Is She Texting Backwards?

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Reddit/toaruScar
Reddit/toaruScar
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This looks like an impossible image of a woman texting behind her back but there is a really easy explanation for this mind-bending scenario. The woman is wearing a visor that matches her skin tone. Oh, now I get it!

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Big Dog, Little Dog

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Reddit/Aestas-Architect
Reddit/Aestas-Architect
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Would you believe me if I told you that these dogs are the exact same size? Thanks to their position in the photo, one looks gigantic and one looks tiny. Optical illusions can happen any time, any place, and this photo proves it.

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A Dog With Beautiful Hair

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Reddit/deleted
Reddit/deleted
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Here's a perfect example of taking a photo at the exact right time. The woman turned her head just enough so that it looks like her dog is actually the one with beautiful long hair. I hope she framed this photo because it is iconic.

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A Different Perspective

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Reddit/Greger69420
Reddit/Greger69420
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The pyramids in Egypt are one of the great wonders of the world, but in this photo, they are almost unrecognizable. When photographed from above, the pyramid looks less like an ancient structure and more like a never-ending illusion.

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Taking A Break

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Reddit/StarLink97
Reddit/StarLink97
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This dog stuck his head outside at just the right moment. Now it looks like he's the one taking a break and not his owner. Either way, someone should tell these two to quit – it's bad for their health!

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Walking The Race

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Reddit/bask_oner
Reddit/bask_oner
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Look closely at the runner in the middle wearing blue shorts. It looks like she is about to casually walk this race. But, it's just a photography trick; her leg is actually mid-stride and just happened to line up perfectly with the runner behind her.

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The Dog From Oz

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Reddit/Paradoxbox00
Reddit/Paradoxbox00
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Is it just me or does it look like this dog came from the magical land of Oz? Kudos to the photographer who managed to capture this one-in-a-million shot. If you have a pet, you could try recreating this photo at home, too. All you need are some bubbles and some luck keeping your dog in the frame.

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Shadows Are Tricky

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Reddit/EndersGame_Reviewer
Reddit/EndersGame_Reviewer
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If you're wondering what is going on here, there's a simple explanation. This is a skylight with a dome shape that is in the process of being installed. It is seen balancing on its dome and a shadow was created by the frame. Together, these factors makes for a confusing image but once you understand the situation, it all makes sense.

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Hi, There!

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Reddit/lopix
Reddit/lopix
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Doesn't it look like this statue is giving us a friendly greeting? Unfortunately, this statue isn't waving at us, it's just photographed from a confusing angle. The statue's rider is cut off in this picture and is the original owner of the hand.

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Such A Small Swimsuit For A Guy With A Big Head

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Reddit/GlitteringHotel8383
Reddit/GlitteringHotel8383
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The first time I looked at this photo, I thought it was a kid with a big head. The more I looked at it, the more confused I became. Then, it all clicked. The kid and his dad had their heads line up perfectly making for this cool but tricky shot.

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Huh?

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Reddit/sirena_psicosomatica
Reddit/sirena_psicosomatica
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It totally looks like a monster is coming out of these boots. However, if you take a step back, you can figure out what's going on here. The boots are being held in someone's hand and that person also happens to be wearing a black, fuzzy jacket. Now does it make sense?