THE PROCESS

1 OBSERVE IMAGE

When presented with the image, your eyes relay visual information to the brain. You see the colour, brightness and position of the image’s components.

2 FIX TARGET

Some physiological illusions require you to fixate on one target for a long period, while in others this is simply the area you first happen to glance at.

3 RECEPTOR REACTION

Cells at the back of the eye absorb the light photons from the image. Light at the centre of vision, as well as the colour white and bright light, provide the highest stimulation.

4 CHANGING GAZE

As you move your eyes to target a new area, these illusions begin. Different photoreceptors are being stimulated as new light and shapes are exposed to the eyes.

5 ALTERED IMAGE

Physiological illusions create a change in brightness, movement, colour or tilt. As you take in new elements of the images, previously clear sections can become confused in position or tone.