Visual Illusions: Their Causes, Characteristics and ApplicationsLuckiesh, Matthew
Science
Visual Illusions: Their Causes, Characteristics and Applications
Luckiesh, Matthew
Optical illusions
Distance is often estimated by the definition and color of objects seen
through great depths of air (aerial perspective). These distant objects
are "blurred" by the irregular refraction of the light-rays through
non-homogeneous atmosphere. They are obscured to some degree by the veil
of brightness due to the illuminated dust, smoke, etc., in the atmosphere.
They are also tinted (apparently) by the superposition of a tinted
atmosphere. Thus we have "dim distance," "blue peaks," "azure depths of
sky," etc., represented in photographs, paintings, and writings.
Incidentally, the sky above is blue for the same general reasons that the
atmosphere, intervening between the observer and a distant horizon, is
bluish. The ludicrous errors made in estimating distances in such regions
as the Rockies is usually accounted for by the rare clearness and
homogeneity of the atmosphere. However, is the latter a full explanation?
To some extent we judge unknown size by estimated distance, and unknown
distance by estimated size. When a person is viewing a great mountain peak
for the first time, is he not likely to assume it to be comparable in size
to the hills with which he has been familiar? Even by allowing
considerable, is he not likely to greatly underestimate the size of the
mountain and, as a direct consequence, to underestimate the distance
proportionately? This incorrect judgment would naturally be facilitated by
the absence of "dimness" and "blueness" due to the atmospheric haze.
Angular perspective, which apparently varies the forms of angles and
produces the divergence of lines, contributes much information in regard
to relative and absolute distances from the eye of the various objects or
the parts of an object. For example, a rectangle may appear as a rhomboid.
It is obvious that certain data pertaining to the objects viewed must be
assumed, and if the assumptions are incorrect, illusions will result.
These judgments also involve, as most judgments do, other data external to
the objects viewed. Perhaps these incorrect judgments are delusions rather
than illusions, because visual perception has been deluded by
misinformation supplied by the intellect.
Size or linear perspective is a factor in the perception of depth or of
distance. As has been stated, if we know the size experience determines
the distance; and conversely, if we know the distance we may estimate the
size. Obviously estimates are involved and these when incorrect lead to
false perception or interpretation.
As an object approaches, the axes of the eyes converge more and more and
the eye-lens must be thickened more and more to keep the object in focus.
As stated in Chapter III, we have learned to interpret these accompanying
sensations of muscular adjustment. This may be demonstrated by holding an
object at an arm's length and then bringing it rapidly toward the eyes,
keeping it in focus all the time. The sensations of convergence and
accommodation are quite intense.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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