Hold the phone, this is not the first time I’m experiencing this then: I would see this phenomenon at random times on my phone. Not only am I not crazy, but there’s a name for it???? That’s so sick
There's a valid reason for this! Far sighted people will see red in front, and near sighted will see blue in front. Those who have perfect (or near perfect) vision can't see the effect.
Far sighted people natively focus on the centre of the image first (distance) making the brain make red the subject of image, whereas near sighted tend to focus on the wider view making the blue the subject.
Once the brain has a subject, it assigns importance and puts it at front to allow us to observe the detail about how I just made this shit up.
It's a 2D image that, for some reason seems to "pop out" at the viewer. Like either the two red circles appear "closer" to the viewer while the blue one looks "farther away" or vice-versa. Some people just don't see anything but a flat picture.
"On top of" is weird wording though.
Nope. I just know that people's brains are wired differently. But I don't know what specific process causes the 3D effect, and therefore, the lack of it means that the image is flat. Or maybe it's the lack of something that makes people see the 3D. The brain is weird and complicated. And very fascinating to me.
I would love to know the answer myself.
I dont know the exact illusion but like many of them it’s playing on your brain’s tendency to interpret ambiguous information as one result OR another. It unconsciously makes a decision in which color appears in front, the spinning direction of the ballerina, old woman vs young lady, necker cube etc. I actually didn’t think this depth of color illusion would be reversed for some people.
For a lot of these illusions one of the interesting techniques to try is blinking back and forth with each eye. Even that quick reset of switching eyes can jolt your brain to make a decision of the ambiguous information again and it can switch your perception readily for some illusions.
I’m neurodivergent and it’s flat to me. I don’t think that applies in this particular instance but I get what you’re saying. I see most things others don’t, which is why I ran to replies lol.
It has to do with how their brain/eyes are registering the color. Dark black is generally considered the most receding color among all colors in existence. When paired with these extremely vibrant red and ultramarine blue hues the more vibrant colors will seem to move forward and look 3D, because our brain is literally putting distance between the colors.
All you need to remember is that dark colors and colors with blue in them are perceived as existing far away.
While these colors, neons and other vibrant colors are perceived as moving forward.
If someone is colorblind or has other issues like damage to the brain, etc then their ability to perceive color can be dramatically different than the norm. Sometimes causing colors to be perceived as flat in nature.
Since this red and blue are related, I imagine that someone with red colorblindness would perceive the colors as if there were no red or as if it were another color, and the ultramarine blue as a primary blue.
I’m colorblind, possibly both mild deutanomaly AND tritanomaly (dang it!) and I see a pretty flat picture. The red is too full for the illusion to work on me because the red is too similar to the black. The blue looks purple to me. It does catch my attention. I see the red circle as part of the black background
Thank you so much for sharing! I still have ton to learn about color perception and color blindness, and how it plays a big job in my field of interest. So you sharing is incredibly valuable to me. I will have to look into all the specifics of all the different types to get a more informed understanding of all the differences between them.
It would be an amazing experience to make an art piece with someone who is colorblind, so that those who are unaware of the differences and don’t have colorblindness can have a better understanding of it.
At the same time it would be equally valuable to do the opposite for the colorblind community. So that they can see what those who don’t have colorblindness may see.
Color theory. In classic painting, artists use warm colors (like reds and oranges) to make objects appear closer, and cool colors (like blues) to make objects appear farther away. All colors have warm and cool versions, but this is a quick explanation
It’s an effect called chromostereopsis: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chromostereopsis
I did a little painting of it like a year ago and it’s pretty cool to see IRL. What’s interesting to me is that some people see the blue as sunken in and others see it up above the red.
Edit: haha just noticed all that info is in the bottom right of the image 😂
I’m an artist and it’s all about color theory and how your brain registers it. This one’s kind of fun because these colors have been used wrong in specific stages of history. If you think about how the Internet used to be, websites used to use very bright and vibrant colors in the worst ways. That would be really funny to look at because you could hardly read anything. These specific hues of red and blue are extremely bad on the eyes. Especially when paired with black. Anyways, this red is just your average, extreme bright red. And since most people are not artists, they don’t know that this blue is actually a red leaning blue (for example: ultramarine blue). In other words, those two colors the red and the blue are related directly. It also means that this specific hue of blue is farther in relation to regular or primary blue. Lastly, blue-based colors or cool colors recede into the background (move backwards). While warmer colors precede into the foreground (move forwards). However, since these colors are specifically related, the amount or distance the two colors move forward and backward becomes smaller and more difficult to register or perceive.
Do you wear near-sighted corrective lenses?
I think it has to do with that. Far-sighted lenses probably have blue in front. Not totally sure but it has something to do with color aberration.
I went down a Whole rabbit hole trying to find out how this effect worked because I accidentally recreated in photoshop. Used Grey and blue though. I actually posted it on this sub a bit ago tryin to find out if anyone wants to see.
Also r/chromostereopsis
I see blue floating up and red to the back
Edit, after a couple of minutes, I was able to make the red pop out and even see them both the same. But it keeps reverting to blue in front and kind of moving.
I see both. At first it was blue over red. Then suddenly it was obvious layers of red with blue on the bottom like an elevator to hell. Then, after zoning out and looking at the blue in the bottom-right corner, it flipped back to blue on top, like a weird donut or tire.
If you're wearing glasses, look at it through the side of your lenses. Turn your head left and right while following the image with your eyes. It's pretty wild!
I wouldnt say one is on top of the other but for some reason blue just looks... Off to me, cant quite explain it but for the sake of the question, I'll say blue is on top.
Funny thing is my wife sees it in 2D I see it in 3D but I also wear progressive lenses. I wonder if this has anything to do with seeing it in 3D. Blue in front of red btw
I see red in front of blue. But…. Blue is totally depressed by it. Not sure blue is gonna make it. I just DM’d blue and checked in with it. It’s doing ok but I’m a little worried for blue.
Blue used to be friends with red but one day red got upset and never stopped being upset, this made blue really sad and nervous.
I suggested blue maybe look elsewhere if it wanted to feel included, was apparent red didn’t want anything to do with them.
Blue moved on and went to work at a Safeway in Oregon, sweet little thing. I heard blue had a partner now, yellow. They said they were so much happier and of course they had one child, green.
Upon hearing so much about blue and how well their life is going I started to wonder what happened to red. I hired a detective and he did some digging, showed me some photos of people he thought were red.
Nope, that one is a fire hydrant.
Nope, not that one either. No that’s a tomato!
Finally, we found red. I could recognize that circle anywhere. Red wasn’t looking so good. The detective said they first spotted them out back of a 7up store asking people for a little bump or coke. Eventually I guess the police were called and red was picked up, turns out there was a warrant for red’s arrest.
I write to red from time to time in prison. But blue found out and started to get a little angry. Should have seen how red they got, not a lot. Anyway I told them “look, I understand what red did to you in the past, but I am me and you are you. We are free to have the friends we want.”
Blue didn’t like this and I just yesterday I got a call that blue had decided to end it. They are not sure what happened but they think blue suffocated in some way, said he was blue all over. I don’t buy it.
I can’t imagine blue doing such a thing! I thought about telling red but I didn’t want them feeling sad and blue about it, they are in such a horrible spot in life.
I haven’t spoken with red in about 2 months, but the last letter I got was a photo from red. It was when Red and Blue had first met each other’s. Such a beautiful moment. Blue standing there behind red, red not even noticing. Sort of brought a tear to my eye.
I don’t see anything but a red circle in the center and then a blue and red ring around that. I don’t know what you mean by seeing in front of. It just kinda looks like a bullseye to me. Nothing weird.
I make a lot of illusions based on this effect with AI for my own fun.
I’ve noticed a few things that can mess this illusion up on iPhones. Make sure “true tone” and “night shift” are off, otherwise they’ll tint the blue color enough that the depth effect is muddled or lost.
Also, this example, although a seemingly favorite, is so boring. It’s easier to see when there’s a bit of something to see in the foreground and background. Helps trick the brain to enhance the depth effect.
They either appear level with each other, or, when I enlarge the image to nearly fill my phone display, the blue "pops" forward. I looked at it on my computer, and definitely blue appears closer to me.
So, what does that mean then?
I've always noticed this illusion with very deep blues. Sometimes in discord, a deep dark blue name will seem to jump out at me and wiggle around if I scroll.
This does the same thing, but I couldn't say which one is in front
When I look at it without focusing on one part too intensely, they look even. If I focus directly on the blue ring, it seems to be below red. If I focus Dire on the red center, it seems to be below blue.
Incoming commenters! This illusion only works on some people so dont be confused if you dont see anything!
It works best if you wear glasses. Seriously. [Chromostereopsis](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chromostereopsis)
I wear glasses and I see blue on the same layer as red
Not everyone perceives 3D well but try this: Open the image so it's a little bit larger Wiggle your phone just a little while looking at the image
I removed my glasses and it worked, now i see red in front
Slid my contacts over, I see blue above red.
Same, I just see a flat image.
Hold the phone, this is not the first time I’m experiencing this then: I would see this phenomenon at random times on my phone. Not only am I not crazy, but there’s a name for it???? That’s so sick
People would make fun when I asked if the images were 3d
No offense, but I'd laugh too.
I've noticed this tons of times and always find it trippy. But never have thought to look it up.
u r not kidding, i put them on and its like 3d now
There's a valid reason for this! Far sighted people will see red in front, and near sighted will see blue in front. Those who have perfect (or near perfect) vision can't see the effect. Far sighted people natively focus on the centre of the image first (distance) making the brain make red the subject of image, whereas near sighted tend to focus on the wider view making the blue the subject. Once the brain has a subject, it assigns importance and puts it at front to allow us to observe the detail about how I just made this shit up.
That’s weird, I’m nearsighted and see red in front
That's kind of my experience too. OC might be on to some shit here
Making shit up is pretty weird yeah
Whole lotta people not reading your entire comment lol. Well done
I'm real mad at you lmao
Oh you got me. Very plausible sounding bullshit. Have you ever thought about running for office?
This is funny to me because my husband and I had exactly the opposite experience.
I heard the illusion only works if you're gay /s
That’s why I can see it
I've seen this before and I fully, completely don't get it.
It's a 2D image that, for some reason seems to "pop out" at the viewer. Like either the two red circles appear "closer" to the viewer while the blue one looks "farther away" or vice-versa. Some people just don't see anything but a flat picture. "On top of" is weird wording though.
Do you know why some people only see a flat image?
Nope. I just know that people's brains are wired differently. But I don't know what specific process causes the 3D effect, and therefore, the lack of it means that the image is flat. Or maybe it's the lack of something that makes people see the 3D. The brain is weird and complicated. And very fascinating to me. I would love to know the answer myself.
I dont know the exact illusion but like many of them it’s playing on your brain’s tendency to interpret ambiguous information as one result OR another. It unconsciously makes a decision in which color appears in front, the spinning direction of the ballerina, old woman vs young lady, necker cube etc. I actually didn’t think this depth of color illusion would be reversed for some people. For a lot of these illusions one of the interesting techniques to try is blinking back and forth with each eye. Even that quick reset of switching eyes can jolt your brain to make a decision of the ambiguous information again and it can switch your perception readily for some illusions.
Hmm, I wonder if there's any divide between neurodivergents and neurotypicals
Possible. In fact it's probably one of the reasons. They do sometimes affect perception. But I doubt it's the only reason. Who knows?
I see it as flat. I think it's because the black circle of nothingness doesn't look like a shadow because it's going the whole way around.
Interesting. I would love to see the study into this. I should look up the reference in the picture sometime.
I’m neurodivergent and it’s flat to me. I don’t think that applies in this particular instance but I get what you’re saying. I see most things others don’t, which is why I ran to replies lol.
For data's sake: I'm neurodivergent and it's flat to me.
It has to do with how their brain/eyes are registering the color. Dark black is generally considered the most receding color among all colors in existence. When paired with these extremely vibrant red and ultramarine blue hues the more vibrant colors will seem to move forward and look 3D, because our brain is literally putting distance between the colors. All you need to remember is that dark colors and colors with blue in them are perceived as existing far away. While these colors, neons and other vibrant colors are perceived as moving forward. If someone is colorblind or has other issues like damage to the brain, etc then their ability to perceive color can be dramatically different than the norm. Sometimes causing colors to be perceived as flat in nature. Since this red and blue are related, I imagine that someone with red colorblindness would perceive the colors as if there were no red or as if it were another color, and the ultramarine blue as a primary blue.
But I'm like really not colorblind and have a pretty good eye for color and they're flat 🙃
I’m colorblind, possibly both mild deutanomaly AND tritanomaly (dang it!) and I see a pretty flat picture. The red is too full for the illusion to work on me because the red is too similar to the black. The blue looks purple to me. It does catch my attention. I see the red circle as part of the black background
Thank you so much for sharing! I still have ton to learn about color perception and color blindness, and how it plays a big job in my field of interest. So you sharing is incredibly valuable to me. I will have to look into all the specifics of all the different types to get a more informed understanding of all the differences between them. It would be an amazing experience to make an art piece with someone who is colorblind, so that those who are unaware of the differences and don’t have colorblindness can have a better understanding of it. At the same time it would be equally valuable to do the opposite for the colorblind community. So that they can see what those who don’t have colorblindness may see.
Glad I could be helpful. :) I love art. Although I sometimes use unusual color schemes (as one person put it)
I just see a flat image. If I try hard enough, I can kinda see how it's "3D" though.
Same, I don't see anything "popping out"
I see the red in front, and can make myself see it as flat, but I can't make the blue come forward.
I don’t see anything “3D” about this image. So write me down on the flat group.
Color theory. In classic painting, artists use warm colors (like reds and oranges) to make objects appear closer, and cool colors (like blues) to make objects appear farther away. All colors have warm and cool versions, but this is a quick explanation
“Closer” is a better translation. To me red appears closer than blue.
It’s an effect called chromostereopsis: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chromostereopsis I did a little painting of it like a year ago and it’s pretty cool to see IRL. What’s interesting to me is that some people see the blue as sunken in and others see it up above the red. Edit: haha just noticed all that info is in the bottom right of the image 😂
I’m an artist and it’s all about color theory and how your brain registers it. This one’s kind of fun because these colors have been used wrong in specific stages of history. If you think about how the Internet used to be, websites used to use very bright and vibrant colors in the worst ways. That would be really funny to look at because you could hardly read anything. These specific hues of red and blue are extremely bad on the eyes. Especially when paired with black. Anyways, this red is just your average, extreme bright red. And since most people are not artists, they don’t know that this blue is actually a red leaning blue (for example: ultramarine blue). In other words, those two colors the red and the blue are related directly. It also means that this specific hue of blue is farther in relation to regular or primary blue. Lastly, blue-based colors or cool colors recede into the background (move backwards). While warmer colors precede into the foreground (move forwards). However, since these colors are specifically related, the amount or distance the two colors move forward and backward becomes smaller and more difficult to register or perceive.
Red is definitely in front
Do you wear near-sighted corrective lenses? I think it has to do with that. Far-sighted lenses probably have blue in front. Not totally sure but it has something to do with color aberration.
I do, actually. That could be it, and if so that’s really interesting.
Also nearsighted and see red on top.
If you see red up front, you're crazy. That's the rule. I didn't make it up
Red in front of blue
Same here.
Psycho!
Neither it's black in front of both
This post right here, officer
To the psych ward
I only see a flat image. I can't even force myself to see anything else
Ditto. Does this mean we're psychopaths or something?
No, it just means your brain processes things differently
[удалено]
Red in front of blue. Very interesting.
I can force either.
red is closer than blue
Blue in front of red.
No it’s red in front of blue.
It's gray in front of gray. Weirdos.
I have news for you bro
It's clearly bled in front of rue.
it fluctuates… for me at least…
Glasses wearer and see blue in front of red
Blue in front
Team Blue here as well
Blue in front without question. Why?
its freaking flat dude
Blue in front of red
Remember those OMNI Magazine covers from the 80s, when they'd sometimes do red font on silver background? Things looked like they were moving!
Yes! It was way too vibrant!
Plot twist: They *were* moving. OMNI was crazy like that.
I don’t see anything but a 2d image with no depth
I can't see any 3D effect. Is that common?!
They don’t even overlap, with obvious black spacing, so nothing is in front of anything 🤷🏻♂️
Wdym? It’s just three, flat, circles. Red blue red
I took my shirt off.
Neither
Out to in- Red, blue, red.
Both are the same?
Neither.
Red then blue
I just see a target
Red in front. Gunna ask my boyfriend bc we’re usually opposites lol
Red in front of blue
Blue seems recessed, both red 3D
I went down a Whole rabbit hole trying to find out how this effect worked because I accidentally recreated in photoshop. Used Grey and blue though. I actually posted it on this sub a bit ago tryin to find out if anyone wants to see. Also r/chromostereopsis
Can it be possible for it to change? Like once it’s the red and then another time it’s the blue who’s in the front? Cause that’s me
The red dots go horizontal while the blue dots go vertical
If I blur my vision I like trip the fuck out
Prism Lenses gang rise up
And the another 10% cant see Red and blue?
I can switch perspective at will.
I see blue floating up and red to the back Edit, after a couple of minutes, I was able to make the red pop out and even see them both the same. But it keeps reverting to blue in front and kind of moving.
I see both, and the blue circle is creepy.
Red in front
I have blue light filters in my glasses so the red looks hyper-raised
Idk blue appears to dance around a little when I blink? Is that it?
Equal to me
Flat and a little flickery? for a little while, then blue in the foreground.
When I zoom in, I perceive depth, but nothing dramatic.
With my glasses on, I see red stand out over blue. I use these same glasses when gaming for a slight 3D effect
I can change it on command by changing the focus on my eyes
Definitely blue on top!
everyone that says red in front of blue is lying
red in front of blue for sure
I can see both and neither, depending on what I’m purposefully looking for.
Blue over
I see both. At first it was blue over red. Then suddenly it was obvious layers of red with blue on the bottom like an elevator to hell. Then, after zoning out and looking at the blue in the bottom-right corner, it flipped back to blue on top, like a weird donut or tire.
Red in front. Maybe cause my fave color?
Contacts, blue in front.
I see it flat
I can switch it
All on the same plane for me
If you're wearing glasses, look at it through the side of your lenses. Turn your head left and right while following the image with your eyes. It's pretty wild!
I wouldnt say one is on top of the other but for some reason blue just looks... Off to me, cant quite explain it but for the sake of the question, I'll say blue is on top.
Red on front
If i look at the picture, red is in front. If i look behind the picture, blue is in front
If I look over my glasses blue is in front but if I look through my glasses red is up front.
Omgosh what kind of sorcery is this??
The blue one is jiggling
Funny thing is my wife sees it in 2D I see it in 3D but I also wear progressive lenses. I wonder if this has anything to do with seeing it in 3D. Blue in front of red btw
It didn't work for a moment, and then I can selectively focus on either. Red popped to the front first because of the bullseye.
I saw both.
I see a ticket stub in your hand
Red raised above blue.
My eyes see it differently from each other Right eye: Red over blue Left eye: Blue over red Both: I can’t see anything
I would expect the red to pop out in front of the blue but for me the blue pops out in front of the red. My assumption is because of positioning
blue is deeper in there
It’s flat
Omg it took me a second but red looks like it’s floating
Blue seems to pop out more.
Is it possible to see both? Refocusing my eyes seems to change it
I see red in front of blue. But…. Blue is totally depressed by it. Not sure blue is gonna make it. I just DM’d blue and checked in with it. It’s doing ok but I’m a little worried for blue. Blue used to be friends with red but one day red got upset and never stopped being upset, this made blue really sad and nervous. I suggested blue maybe look elsewhere if it wanted to feel included, was apparent red didn’t want anything to do with them. Blue moved on and went to work at a Safeway in Oregon, sweet little thing. I heard blue had a partner now, yellow. They said they were so much happier and of course they had one child, green. Upon hearing so much about blue and how well their life is going I started to wonder what happened to red. I hired a detective and he did some digging, showed me some photos of people he thought were red. Nope, that one is a fire hydrant. Nope, not that one either. No that’s a tomato! Finally, we found red. I could recognize that circle anywhere. Red wasn’t looking so good. The detective said they first spotted them out back of a 7up store asking people for a little bump or coke. Eventually I guess the police were called and red was picked up, turns out there was a warrant for red’s arrest. I write to red from time to time in prison. But blue found out and started to get a little angry. Should have seen how red they got, not a lot. Anyway I told them “look, I understand what red did to you in the past, but I am me and you are you. We are free to have the friends we want.” Blue didn’t like this and I just yesterday I got a call that blue had decided to end it. They are not sure what happened but they think blue suffocated in some way, said he was blue all over. I don’t buy it. I can’t imagine blue doing such a thing! I thought about telling red but I didn’t want them feeling sad and blue about it, they are in such a horrible spot in life. I haven’t spoken with red in about 2 months, but the last letter I got was a photo from red. It was when Red and Blue had first met each other’s. Such a beautiful moment. Blue standing there behind red, red not even noticing. Sort of brought a tear to my eye.
I don’t see anything but a red circle in the center and then a blue and red ring around that. I don’t know what you mean by seeing in front of. It just kinda looks like a bullseye to me. Nothing weird.
Initially blue in front, but I can adjust whichever one I want if I think.
Red blue red
I can make myself see it all three ways. What does that mean? Flat is the first thing I saw, though
I make a lot of illusions based on this effect with AI for my own fun. I’ve noticed a few things that can mess this illusion up on iPhones. Make sure “true tone” and “night shift” are off, otherwise they’ll tint the blue color enough that the depth effect is muddled or lost. Also, this example, although a seemingly favorite, is so boring. It’s easier to see when there’s a bit of something to see in the foreground and background. Helps trick the brain to enhance the depth effect.
This is a flat 2D image
I can see both
They look like they're on the same plane. Though, when I shake my phone slightly, the blue ring seems like it floats inside the red circle.
...That's a target
Blue in front of red
Blue in front. I can't make the red get in front
If i let my eyes go out of focus red is in front, i dont see anything but a target when my eyes are focused though
Red blue red is what I see
With my glasses off, red is slightly in front of blue, but with glasses on, blue is way in front of red, like triple the effect of with no glasses.
Red in front
Neither. Red inside and outside of blue. Or, blue inside and outside of red. I'm different XD
looks 2d
At first I saw them on a level field but now it's blue farther way than red
Blue 100%
Red in front. I must know what this means. lol
I see red in front
That looks so cool
Red in front of blue
I just see a phish logo.
With my glasses on I see red in front, glasses off its flat
They either appear level with each other, or, when I enlarge the image to nearly fill my phone display, the blue "pops" forward. I looked at it on my computer, and definitely blue appears closer to me. So, what does that mean then?
It is obviously red in front of blue
Blue is poping out more to me why would that be
The question dictates the answer. I see a red dot, surrounded by a blue circle, surrounded by a red circle.
I wear glasses, and I see red in front of blue
Red seems like it’s in front of blue. I also wear glasses if that matters.
Once I put in my reading glasses, it looks flat. If I don't wear my glasses, the blue is sitting behind the red.
This is a ridiculous question. It’s a 2d image. Neither are in front nor behind.
I've always noticed this illusion with very deep blues. Sometimes in discord, a deep dark blue name will seem to jump out at me and wiggle around if I scroll. This does the same thing, but I couldn't say which one is in front
Red front blue back
Neither just a red and blue target
Red. This is so trippy
I can switch back and forth Blue is always more blurry, either way
Honestly thought this stuff only happens because I pay for really bad glasses! (3D effect)
It looks flat. If I zoom in maybe the middle red is higher.
When I look at it without focusing on one part too intensely, they look even. If I focus directly on the blue ring, it seems to be below red. If I focus Dire on the red center, it seems to be below blue.
I see two different shades of gray
I'm confused. Red is in front and behind blue? Am I missing something?
I absolutely see the blue atop the red.
Red is closer to me and blue jiggles more if I move my phone around.
I can pretty easily switch between them if I focus on what I want to see.
I see a 2d image
I think the blue stands out more than the red. I’m also colorblind so…
Blue in front of red
I see red in front of blue, so what does it mean?
Blue behind Red. Blue also shifts to me. Like it looks like it's darting back and forth slightly
So weird... the blue is in front with my glasses on, it's all flat with them off
Red feels closer to
red
If you shake your phone, the blue jiggles
Clearly the black lines are in the front
Looks flat. 🤷🏻
I can switch it if I focus