Forced perspective is one of the easiest camera illusions. By playing with distance and perspective, you can trick the eye. No one likes looking at vacation pictures. But they would if they were all like this.
This is almost a family vacation classic. Why almost? Look at the woman's face. Where's the fear? An unscrupulous giant is trying to trap her inside of his sand pail. And all she's wearing is a bikini. Someone get this amateur some acting lessons.
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This man looks like he's in trouble. It doesn't look like his friend is going to make it to him in time. The man casually catching some rays as he hangs on for dear life is not his friend.
Forced perspective isn't always about distance. You can play with axis too. This trick is even easier. There's a lot less lining up. But you do have to convince your friends to lie on the ground. Once you have willing participants though, the fun is endless.
Fee Fi Fo Fum
Let's hope this is forced perspective. Otherwise we've got a giant problem on our hands. Forced perspective photography can be a lot of fun.
Today, it's mostly a fun hobby. This wasn't always the case. Computer generated images haven't always been around. Before their invention, filmmakers used forced perspective in movies. A toy model of Godzilla can look 50 feet tall if his victims are far enough away.
The Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower hasn't had a makeover. Those are cleverly placed Legos. This photo is by Michael Hughes. Mr. Hughes is credited with getting the internet interested in trompe l'oeil. That's a French word for an art technique that tricks the eye into seeing what isn't there.
Have you seen the chalk optical illusions drawn on public streets? You've probably seen Michael's work. In 2005, Michael added trick photography to his impressive repertoire. That's around the time that this picture went viral.
