They say that a picture is worth a thousand words–this is especially true when that picture happens to be an optical illusion. Although our brains are pretty incredible at what they do, they can be tricked from time to time. With certain angles, particular depths, and varying amounts of light, a single picture can cause all sorts of comprehension issues. Check out this list of 50+ confusing photos that have people looking closer and find out if you can see past the illusion!
1. Headless Pup
Don’t worry, this dog is just fine. Although at first glance, it looks like it’s missing its head. Either way, it’s still adorable.
2. Tiny Horses
Who shrunk the horses? At first glance, it would appear that these two are walking atop the fence. Luckily, it’s just a bit of funky depth perception.
3. A Very Public Toilet
Sir, this isn’t a toilet. From one side, this guy seems to be doing his business in a public massage chair. Once you walk around to the other side, however, you see what’s really going on.
4. Ghost Cat
This trippy photo makes it look like there is a ghost cat inside of the box. Don’t worry, though, this house isn’t haunted. The box’s reflection just happens to be showing up in the glass door right where the cat is sitting outside.
5. Bigger Kitchen
Everyone loves to cook in a big kitchen. However, not everyone can afford so much extra space. Solution: buy a mirror.
6. Giant Bird
The security cam on this house caught this little guy mid-wingflap. Now it looks like there is a giant bird sitting on the roof of their shed. Talk about crazy timing…
7. Tall man
This guy is already tall, but he happened to take a picture at the perfect angle to make him look like a giant. If you look closely, you’ll see that he is standing on the edge of a ledge. It makes a very cool photo look even cooler.
8. Movie Prop
This building looks like a movie prop. Of course, it’s other side is simply hidden from view, but I still have an urge to try to push it over.
9. Old Baby
This one had me confused for a quite a bit before I realized what I was looking at. Although it looks like an old man with a baby’s body, it’s not. Try to take a closer look…
10. Pig Legs
I’m not sure what’s more funny, the fact that this older man is riding a carousel, or that it looks like he has pig legs. Either way, it makes for one hilarious picture.
11. Trippy Hallway
The lights and carpet in this hotel make for one really cool-looking hallway. It’s hard to tell whether or not you are looking into a mirror or if the hallway just continues on. Welp, there’s only one way to find out.
12. Tiny Soldier
Is that a tiny soldier wading through the water, or a little piece of lint by the window? Unfortunately, it’s just the latter. However, I’ve got a feeling that this person won’t be cleaning off their window sill anytime soon.
13. Aerial View
How high above the ground do you think the taker of this picture was? Well, not high at all actually. Although it looks like an aerial shot of a lakeshore, it’s actually just a picture of a puddle.
14. Floating Tankers
These ships appear to be floating in the air although it’s obvious that they can’t be. However, this is why these photos are so great–they allow us to believe in the impossible, if only for a moment.
15. Transparent Building
The mirrored glass on this building makes it look transparent. However, what’s actually happening is that it is reflecting everything in front of it. It makes for one cool-looking structure.
16. Alien Invasion
Welp, the aliens have finally arrived. And based on how big they look, taking over the earth shouldn’t be too difficult for them. Oh wait, it’s just a bug.
17. Spacecraft Airport
Now, I’m not exactly sure what’s going on in this photo, but it looks awesome. Apparently, it’s some sort of open hanger and the ceiling and sky seem to overlap. It makes the place look like some sort of crazy space station or something.
18. Shadow Windows
This is one of those illusions that only exist for a short amount of time. The sun is casting shadows off of the windows which makes this building look like it has some sort of 3D effect. They should consider painting the building this way permanently.
19. Blind Dog
If only this blind dog could see how beautiful its own eyes are. They look like little balls of fire. What an awesome little pup.
20. Ship On Stilts
This picture was taken at the perfect time. It appears that this cruise ship is sitting on top of a couple of pylons. Either that ship is really small, or those pylons are massive.
21. River
This river in Iceland is beautiful. The way that it flows into the sea is stunning. And it creates a really cool illusion at the same time.
22. Cross-Stitched Cats
These two cats look too cute to be real. And no, not because the netting on their travel case makes them look cross-stitched. They’re just that adorable.
23. Pirate Kite
Although it looks like there are pirates anchored just off shore, this ship is actually only a kite. However, can we just appreciate how awesome this kite is? It may be the coolest kite I’ve ever seen.
24. Lightning Stike
This guy happened to snap a picture right as a strike of lightning hit. It made for a very cool image. The sky looks divided right down to the edge of the road.
25. Awesome Floor Tiles
These tiles are cool as it is, but the way that they seem to cascade into the ground make them even better. It looks so convincing that I would probably hesitate before I stepped onto them.
26. Camel Head
This picture is cool for a couple of reasons. For one, how often do you get to feed a camel? And two, how often do you get to feed a camel that only has a head and no body?
27. Sinking Couch
Somehow, this cat got itself into a position that makes it look like it is sinking into the couch. Either that, or that it lost the lower half of its body. It’s really cute either way.
28. Female Centaur
In fantasy stories, centaurs are usually male. But why is that? There have to be female centaurs, right? Well, apparently all it takes to make a female centaur is a big dog and well-timed picture.
29. Black Hole
Black holes are believed to be able to bend time and space. In sci-fi movies, they can appear anywhere, causing a rift in reality. Apparently, sleeping black cats can do this as well.
30. Another Floating Boat
Heatwaves can do strange things to our vision. They have the ability to create mirages that challenge what we know to be possible. For example, they can make ships appear to be floating in the sky.
31. Big Hug
These two are in a very strong embrace. So strong, in fact, that one of them is being lifted into the air. That’s not actually the case, however, take a closer look…
32. What Is Going On?
After Hurricane Sandy came though, there were plenty of fallen trees. Some of them were ripped right out of the ground, roots, grass, dirt, and all. This guy decided to pose for an awesome photo with one of these fallen trees.
33. Floating Dog
Is this dog floating? Unfortunately not. When it jumps into the air, its fur disguises its feet. It sure does look cool though.
34. Structure Fire?
For any fireman driving by, this would be cause for alarm. However, everything is fine here. The window is actually just reflecting an awesome sunset.
35. Sky Light
This picture gives a whole new meaning to our idea of what a skylight is. Although it should just be a window in your ceiling, apparently it can also refer to a light fixture that is hanging from the night sky.
36. Overflow Drain
This overflow drain looks awesome. It appears as a hole that reaches all the way to the center of the earth. And who knows, maybe it does.
37. More Bending Light
Here is another example of water bending light. It makes this tire look warped and flat. Luckily, that wheel should be just fine and perfectly round once it is taken out of the puddle.
38. Burning Leaves
The sun is hitting these leaves in such a way that it makes them look like they are on fire. It’s a good thing that they aren’t, though. They look dry enough to go up in some big flames.
39. Whoa
This is one of the freakiest pictures that I’ve ever seen. Although it looks like there are eyeballs in those glasses, there actually aren’t. It’s just the reflection of the lamp on the ceiling above them.
40. Monkey Selfie
Is that monkey taking a picture of itself? Unfortunately not. It’s just the reflection of the person’s hands who is taking the picture from behind the glass.
41. Broccoli Or Tree?
This tree looks exactly like a piece of broccoli. In fact, it’s so similar that I’m not entirely convinced that it is a tree at all. Someone is going to have to take a bite to find out for sure.
42. Funny Bride
Wedding pictures are great to look back on. They capture incredible moments of love, happy memories, and sometimes hilarious optical illusions. This bride looks to have thrown her legs over her new husband’s shoulders, but it’s just his white shirt.
43. Tent Shot
This picture almost looks photoshopped. Believe it or not, it’s just an incredible shot of some sun rays coming through the trees. What a magical moment.
44. Truck Full Of Pasteries
This truck looks like it’s packed full of coffee shop goodies. However, it’s just the reflection of the display case on the window. It makes for one delicious-looking vehicle though.
45. Bad Graphics
Apparently, when the sun gets directly overhead in Hawai’i, it causes everything outside to look like a bad video game render. How crazy is that?
46. Bar Stool Martinis
Are those bar stools or martinis? At first glance, I thought barstools. But after a closer inspection, it turns out to just be a line of drinks on top of the bar.
47. Log Dog
Oh no! Wait, everything’s fine. That dog isn’t cut in half, it’s just laying next to a log.
48. Frozen Tornado
This melting snow is slowly turning into an icicle. And that icicle is starting to look like a devastating tornado that is heading towards town. Luckily, no one’s getting hurt.
49. Two-Headed Dog
What’s better than being greeted by your dog’s adorable face? Being greeted by your dog’s adorable two-headed face. This picture is just as cute as it is strange.
50. Giant Pigeons
If pigeons were this big, we’d be having some major problems. Luckily, this is just a case of tricky depth perception. Those pigeons are normal size, just sitting close to the edge of a building.
51. Earth From Space
At first glance, this looks like a shot of Earth from a space station. However, it’s actually just the hood of a car on a cold morning. Either way, it looks beautiful.
52. Cotton Concert
I know, I know, that looks like an incredible concert, right? Too bad it’s actually just a hug cotton picker operating at night. Whatever, it still looks cool.
53. Sky Lake
This picture was taken from the window of someone’s house. First of all, this is an incredible view to have from your window even when the water isn’t perfectly reflecting the sky. And secondly, it’s even better when it is.
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