By Vurdlak on July 21, 2007, with 131 Comments
Few days ago I found this image on flickr, and was puzzled for a while. Am not sure if it’s photo or a painting, but it hides an awesome optical illusion. I still can’t decide it the photo I’m seeing represents some kind of a tunnel, or top (peak) of a pyramid of some sort. Which one do you think it is? How did you decide? Are there any hints you can share with rest of us?
I also read that you think I link too many words in my descriptions, which I admit can be little distracting. I’ll try and link less, but more targeted illusions through my links, so please comment if you think I improved my technique?
Concerning my vacation, I’m having a blast here on Adriatic coast, you should definitely visit south Croatia when you have opportunity – like Mecca, you have to see it at least once in your life. Islands and cities like Korcula, Dubrovnik, Hvar… are something so beautiful, you can’t imagine. The only bad thing that happened, is that my forehead burnt under the sun, so I had to stay inside the house last 2 days. My brother had the same problem, which you probably already read on his website. Enjoy summer!
(22 votes)
this one is pretty elementary. i could draw something like this in 5 seconds. it doesn’t represent a tunnel or a pyramid. it’s either one. whatever you want it to be. i gotta say i’m not impressed with the last few illusions… anyone share my opinion? i mean the last one turned out to be fake… (the same colored squares or whatever)… i’d like to see this website become what it used to be.
It is a tunnel because of the reflection on the top of the tunnel. Pyramids can’t reflect the wall on the other side.
This is a tunnel because of the reflection on the top. A pyramid can’t reflect a wall behind it.
i agree i dont like the laastr few either, i think the last great illusion was the hidden tiger one
You have to understand that the website has to meet needs and it isn’t possible to find an outstanding illusion everyday so let it rest.
To me it looks like a photograph of the inside of a roof. If you look closely, you can see reflections on the boards of whatever is below it.
actually, i can safely say it is NOT a pyramid. artists and possibly other graphic designers will realize that the lines in back do not match perspective- wise with the front lines. if this was a pyramid, the lines would probably get smaller in back, rather than bigger. however, this is an easily possible tunnel, since the viewpoint is closer to the roof.
Its a tunnel…
You can see reflections of the side lines on the roof of the tunnel plus the the reflection of the dark lines that look like a square box are also visible…
its a tunnel…
You can see the reflection of the lines on the sides and the dark box shaped lines in the center of the pic on the top of the tunnel…
Yeah, this is a neat picture, but it’s pretty basic when it comes to optical illusions. I really like to have to work to figure them out–but this one is either a tunnel or a pyramid–it’s VERY easy to see either one.
i think it looks more like a tunnel… in my opinion, it looks too out of porportion to be pyramid.
Based on what looks like a flash/light pattern on the sides, and the “skewing” of it’s shape (bottom appears more narrow than the top), I’d say it’s a tunnel of some sorts, maybe an air vent. The darker section could be where two pieces are joined together. I think most photographers will see this as taken with a fairly wide lens (<20mm), which will warp the image somewhat, and make the “end” of the tunnel too small to make out.
I believe it is a tunnel. The third square out from the middle is a bit darker than the other lines. It looks like there is a reflection of this square on the top side. I do see the pyramid too, if I ignore this reflection.
In answer to the quality of illusions on here: I feel there is something for everyone, some you will like, some you won’t. Also, keep in mind there may be newer guests who haven’t seen the illusions that some people find to be poor. And if you think the quality is low…help out and pass on some great ones to Vurdlak! Overall, I think the site is great, and always open to your suggestions for improvement (which are more useful that flat out complaints!)
It’s a tunnel. Look closely. The darker square in the middle, or toward the end of the tunnel is reflected on the ceiling.
I think its a Tunnel, theres a bit of reflection (at the top of the black square) and perspective that doesn’t really fit with a pyramid.
Really interesting =P
Well, in my opinion it’s obviously a tunnel. In the centre of the picture you can see a darker square, and above the reflection of it. This won’t be possible if it were a pyramid.
But that’s the whole point of an illusion: to make you question the true nature of what it is trying to show. I think this a very well done one….
It’s not a drawing, and I think some people can keep some comments for them…
Indeed there are some reflection on the wall, that is made probably in some glossy plastic (so not a drawing, or a really well done one).
It cannot be a tunnel because the vertical lines of the hypothetical tunnel are too regularly spaced.
In a perspective they would have more space near the eye and less at the end of the tunnel.
An other signal is the reflection of the thicker line. If it would be a tunnel (so whit squared or rectangular section and walls) the reflection would be perfectly identical: I means that the lines would be parallel and orthogonal with the original, and of the same dimension.
On the contrary the original squared line become a sqeezed trapeze and also the lines on the walls reflected on the roof of the tunnel are tilted.
This mean that the also the roof is tilted, like the wall of a pyramid.
So I think is a pyramid from the bottom.
Odd angles for a pyramid, although equally you don’t get many tunnels that carry on ad finitum… If you see where the thicker black line is, it seems to have a reflection above it, which makes me think it’s a tunnel with a ‘false wall’ at the end, perhaps.
I feel you Anonymous 1. I feel you.
Obviously a roof from underneath.
(1) The “peak” is reflected off the side; (2) THe lighting would more likely be diffused more if not inverted; (3) If not intentionally an illusion, it would not be possible to view a pyramid from any angle resulting in this view.
Case closed.
of course its the illusion part is that it could be both, but i think its actually a photo of a tunnel not a pyramid because of the light relfecting off the left and right hand faces of the tunnel as if there was one light shining in and relfecting back because if it was a pyramid it would need 2 light sources to make those 2 light patterns which is just less likely. its simple but its good to see a real object making an illusion not just a drawing
If it was a tunnel, the slabs on the wall would be of different size. (Those farer away would be much bigger than those near the camera)
So, under the assumption that normally you buy slabs of the same size, it is a pyramid.
Appears to be a view from below looking “up” into a steeple-shaped ceiling. There are reflections on the left and right side from a ight or window, and you can just make out the “mirroring” effect (the reflection is upward) of the dark square near the center of the photo. Not a tunnel — and not a pyramid ;-)
Well I saw it was both at first like half a second in… but then I looked closer and saw it could only be a tunnel. It’s hard to explain, but you might figure it out. (look at the top side)
for me it’s a pyramid. The lines go to the center a bit to soon for it to be a tunnel.
its a photoshop!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ill give 2 reasons why its clearly a PHOTOSHOP
1 its grey pyramids arent grey
2 theres one darker light
= 1 photoshopped image
its obviously a tunnel. the sides are way to un straight for it to be a pyramid
This one is definitely a tunnel. You can tell by the reflections. If you look to either the left or the right wall you can see a reflection of light, that if it were a pyramid, it would not be on both sides. Then if you look at the dark ring about 3 lines from the top, you can see the reflection of that onto the ceiling.
I think it is a tunnel. If you look above the darker square near the middle. It seems to have a reflection. If it were a pyramid this would not happen.
It looks more like a tunnel because if it would be a pyramid it would be quite irregilar.
It’s a pyramid!!!! sure It is!!!
This is a tunnel. The darker square is reflected in the top of the tunnel. If it were a bird’s eye view of a pyramid, the reflection wouldn’t be there.
It is a light shade. You know, the paper corrugated ones with the wire frames.
It’s a tunnel. Look at the corners where the side walls meet the ceiling – you’ll see a very slight reflection of walls in the ceiling (especially in the upper right quadrant of the photograph, and where the thick black lines are part way down the tunnel). You wouldn’t get those reflections if the photo was of the apex of a pyramid.
awesome. I love images that “pop” back and forth like that. Looking at the end of the “tunnel” it gives me the impression that it is a pyramid.
I agree the last few weeks haven’t been had many quality posts.
As far as this would be a real thing, it is, in my opinion, rather a tunnel. Why : because one can see a reflection of the darker square on the “ceiling” … this would be impossible for a pyramid :-)
its a tunnel no its a pyramid no its a tunnel again oh sumbody plz help me 2 find the answer coz i cant figger it out and its annoying me
actually,, at first look i thought pyramid, but the reflection on the top/roof gives away the assumption that it is really a tunnel.
xx
I’m new to this site and have no idea what ‘it used to be’ like; Enlighten me please.
Anonymous #1, I’d like to see you update the site with a new illusion almost every day. Nobody is making you visit if you don’t like it, so stop complaining. Havn’t you thought that it might be hard to find a new illusion after probably already uploading the majority of them.
Rant over.
I think it looks like a hollow pyramid from the inside looking up towards the peak.
this one is meh, but the last one was pretty cool. it didn’t turn out to be fake, it just turned out to be even more of an illusion than expected–what looked like a lighter colored square was actually darker!
I see reflections in the top wall that connects to the side ones. Notice the darker square, you can see the lines from the side reflecting onto the top of the wall. Also notice the top right hand corners where the top wall and right side walls meet, there are reflections there too, you can barely see them but they are there. Maybe the top wall is just blank and what we see is just a reflection from the bottom. I think I’ve been awake way too long. Insomnia sucks.
It’s a tunnel, except for the last three lines on the wall (after the thick one).
You can tell because you can see a reflection of that section on the ceiling of the tunnel. If this was a pyramid or a flat surface, no reflection of that kind would be possible.
FAIL.
meh, it looks more like a tunnel then a pyramid IMO. and yeah, Anonymous(first one), it is true that anyone could make this in 5 seconds. what’s your point? It’s still wild and it is an optical Illusion of sorts. But there is one thing, if you’re going to bad mouth a site that you (by the looks of your post) visit regularly, at least have the balls to put your name up.
You can tell you are looking into a tunnel, or more precisely, the bottom of a pyramid by studying the reflections on the surface. Near the center, you see a square band that is darker than the rest. Above it, you see its reflection because the camera is closer to that side than the others. Also, look at the left and right sides near the entrance… you see here identical (or similar) reflections, which is exactly what you would expect looking into the bottom of a pyramid with a 90 degree apex. Not sure? Put two mirrors together and try it yourself.
Ok, first let me say that I’m not saying your wrong “anonymous”, but I do disagree.
This optical illusion is not elementary to me. Here’s why . . .
I saved the photo to my pictures so that I could view the photo with my photo software (yes, I’m a nerd and I love photosoftware). I often modify photo’s for fun and by doing this I’ve learned how to tell a unedited photo from an edited photo.
This particular optical illusion is confusing until you start to pay attention to the lighting and reflections. If you notice the darker black square in the “center” has a reflection above it and the sides of the tunnel has some sheen so that means its probably metal. The reason I refer to it as a tunnel and not a pyramid is because the bottom part of the tunnel is darker and the top of the tunnel is the widest piece, which means its not symmetrical and so it makes you feel like you are standing in a hallway. Also, the black square helps create the illusion that its a doorway. Its definately a modification of some kind. I’m not sure exactly how it was done, but I almost think they used a mirror affect. But this is just my opinion.
Very kewl. I like it. Good find.
~ Jessika
i agree with the first post the illusions are up for days and then when you get a new one its kinda lame.
em yes i know, it can be either a pyramid or a tunnel.. anyways i see it more like a tunnel. and yes i agree, the last ilusions were kinda -x- . and the 2 “same colored squares” or whatever weren’t near the same color, i checked in paint :P hu hu
It’s either a lopsided Pyramid or an obtuse hallway. In my opinion I think it’s a hallway because of the shadowing towards the back looks like an opening in the hall.
its not a drawing its a photo looking up at a roof of some structure probably an outdoor gazebo or shelter
Hey man, dont be like that, im sure the people who keeps going the website do their best, if u have a complain, maybe u should start sending material to help them!
Great website, with some ups and downs, go guys, you are doing a terrific job!
I think it is a tunnel. See the light reflections on each side?
if it is a pyramid with a hole at the top, doesn’t that still make it a tunnel??
actualy it is a tunnel cuz, if you look at the top face it has the reflection of that [], and the pryamid would be lopsided, and the pitcher it taker twords the celing which makes the top look bigger
I think this one is a pyramid because if you look down the end of the ‘tunnel’ the the lines on the walls should become a lot closer together wheras they don’t!
I disagree. I think it’s definately a tunnel. For 1. It’s too distorted to be square like a pyramid. And 2. you can see a reflection off the ceiling, of the rest of the tunnel. Again not something you’d have with a pyramid.
I think this has to be a tunnel becouse you can see the reflection of the black square in the “roof of the tunnel”. but that’s my opinion.
i tend to agree with you anonymous, i’d like to see more complex illusions
I agree with the first comment. I also think it looks like a tunnel more because the pyramid walls are a little lopsided.
its certainly a tunnel because of the reflections. particularly the dark line in the middle
First, this is definitly a tunnel. And second, for the first post of Anonymous, i would just like to say that you are extreemly wrong. This is a very good illusion, and aparantly SOME peaple only care about critisizing. I mean, what if this illusion was yours?
It’s a tunnel. The top of the picture is the side furthest away, but it is still bigger. If it were a pyramid, it would be waaaay too big on one side. Pyramids are hardly ever irregular, and this one would be so irregular, it would be really instable! It’s not really an illusion. Just at first glance it could be seen differently.
Silly question, it´s either a pyramid (not very symmettric one, though) or a tunnel , whatever you want it to be.
I’m pretty sure it’s a pyramid… I think the reflections on the side are of clouds?
Ok..did you ever look up when inside of a steaple…it reminds me of an old one i saw in a church once
boring…..
If it’s a pyramid, it’s taken from the inside looking up, not the outside looking down.
whenever i look @ this illusion i c a tunnel, so i think it mite b 1…?
i think it is both
Those of you who think its a tunnel have obviously never seen one. Go on google and search for a picture of a tunnel and then come back and compare the characteristics of perspective with this picture. It is CLEARLY the inside of a pyramid. There are numerous instances in this picture that prove its a pyramid.
I THINK IT IS A TUNNEL BECAUSE THE FLOOR IS SMALLER THAN THE SIDES AND THE ROOF.
the square reflection on the cealing is imposible if it was a pyrimid. without that square reflection it would be indistinguishable. If it had a triangular shadowit would be a pyrimid.
p.s. anyone who sees the logic of this explaintion and can simplify it. feel free to do so.
All though the point of the reflections is greatly made. It still looks like a pyramid to the untrained eye! Just as well as a hallway
I am # 56. I have changed my mind. It could still be a tunnel or the inside of a pyramid looking up? But the top angle is longer than the bottom angle. I am thoroughly confused.
i think its more a tunnel as the top side of it seems to big to equal to the other side to be a pyramid. But it also looks like a roof as someone has said below!
That Is So A Tunnel. The Top and bottom Aren’t even therefor its not a Pyramid.
I study architecture, and if there is a thing I can do is to recognize a geometry.
This photo could be a tunnel only if the plank are realized on purpose of correct the perspective, and the wall and roof are expressly tilted (however in this case the tunnel will be a truncated pyramid, so it will be both the thing).
BUT:
- Focal Point: if the perspective is constructed on adapted plank it will be a tunnel like this: Tunnel plan…. however, the focal point is always to the infinite, so the last plank shold be also infinite…. or Km (Miles) long….
- Reflected light: the reflection of the light don’t have any relevance. It can be one light reflected on a pyramid, two lights on a tunnel or pyramid, or also a whole room reflected on a pyramid roof….
I have as hobby also the photography (architecture and photos are tightly connected), and this is not a photo taken with the flash, so the light can’t say us nothing.
- Reflection of the lines: this is interesting… a mirror reflect object ALWAYS whit the same angle of incidence, no matter from the point of view you see it.
If the mirror and the object are orthogonal, or the line parallel so will be the reflection… two parallel line, in perspective will point always the same focal point, so the reflection of a line on a mirror, if orthogonal to the mirror, will continue on the same straight line.
On contrary if there is a tilted roof the effect is that of the photo.
I made a graphic explication that can be more intelligible.
- Tilted roof or ceiling: if there is a tilted roof, as I hypotized before, as shown in the drawing the farest section will be shorter than nearest, but in the image the section is the same squared, so this means that, if the ceiling or roof is tilted, also the other wall and the floor are tilted to mantain the section similarity.
But if all the walls are tilted then is a pyramid….
-Example: This image is of a similar pyramid roof made with plank. It’s in wood, but the principle is the same….
Pyramid roof
Lebamom said…
If it’s a pyramid, it’s taken from the inside looking up, not the outside looking down.
Yes, is a pyramid taken from the inside looking up, no dubt.
It isn’t a trivial illusion…