Unbelievable Examples of Forced Perspective

#1 Family Photos

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.

#2 Thirsty

This is not a photo of tiny people. They're just super far away. And these desert-dwellers only wish this was a giant bottle of water. It's just really close to the lens.

Once everyone was in place, the photographer just lined them up. There was probably a lot of "a little to the left -- no, your left" going on. But this awesome photo is totally worth it.

#3 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.

#4 Mind = Blown

Forced perspective isn't just for still images. This forced perspective gif has been viral for a while. It's mesmerizing. People have lost full minutes staring at this. What exactly is going on?

It's not trick photography. It's all forced perspective. It's from the YouTube channel Quirkology. It's full of amazing optical illusions like this.

#5 Sun Ball

You can do really beautiful things with forced perspective. This photograph is by photographer Waleed Almotar. There's more than just camera tricks going on here. The photo also plays with light.

The subject is in silhouette. The warm dusk light in the background is in stark contrast. Together they create an image that's almost surreal. It's like a game of soccer among the gods.

#6 Movie Magic

The Lord of the Rings used a lot of forced perspective. They made the hobbits look small by positioning them further away from the other characters. This photographer has accomplished something similar here.

When the camera is at one angle, the seated woman looks very small. Then the camera shifts. It's really a normal-sized woman seated further away. The Lord of the Rings wasn't the only movie to use this trick. Harry Potter employed the same technique to make Hagrid look like a giant.

#7 School Spirit

Forced perspective isn't just for images. It's also a great way to show school spirit. When seen from this angle, the letters look tall. They're actually flat and long. And they extend up the far wall.

Unfortunately, this is only cool from one angle. Most of the visitors to this gym will see indecipherable blue stripes that extend up the wall. But it's better than the static logos that adorn most gyms.

#8 Sleeveface

Sleeveface is a forced perspective technique popularized around 2007. When the album sleeve is in just the right place, you get photo magic. It also helps if you dress the part. The funnier or more classic the album, the better the shot. The internet is full of comic jewels like this one.

The term "sleeveface" was first coined by the Welsh DJ Carl Morris. No one knows who the first person to try this particular type of forced perspective. It may have been Carl himself.

#9 May the Force Be With You

That's the most literal light saber we've ever seen. Once you're into forced perspective photography, you'll see opportunities all around you. The light saber was a clever move.

You could also turn the photo on it's side. Then he'd be cutting through the rock with his laser gun. Getting on the ceiling of that cavern would be hard. Staying up there would be even harder. But the photo would totally be worth it.

#10 Help

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.

Most Expensive Homes in the World

#1 Castillo Caribe

On the market for $59.5 million, Castillo Caribe is the largest private home in the Cayman Islands at 48,000 square feet.The home's amenities include a wine room, home theater, billiards room with custom made bar, gym, steam room, spa, staff quarters, swimming pool with grotto, tennis court and helipad.

#2 Lyons Demesne

Lyons Demesne hit the market again for a price tag of $65 million. It is the estate of discount airline Ryanair founder Tony Ryan, who reportedly spent $120 million restoring the property. The home was originally listed for $100 million in 2009, and even with the price slash it'll still be the most expensive home sold in Ireland -- that is, when it does sell!

#3 Spelling Manor

The Manor in Holmby Hills in Los Angeles was built in 1988 for Aaron Spelling. It was sold for $85 million to heiress Petra Ecclestone after it was on the market for two years at an asking price of $150 million.

#4 Th Woolworth Mansion

Located in New York City on 80th and Fifth Avenue, the home known as the Woolworth mansion is currently listed with Christie's for $90 million. The home was built in the 1890s when retail chain magnate Frank Woolworth
had famed architect Charles Pierpont Henry Gilbert design a French Gothic style mansion for him.

#5 Maison de l'Amitie

This single family home was the most expensive home ever fought over in a divorce case (Donald Trump's of course!). The home has 18 bedrooms and 22 bathrooms. After being on the market for $125 million, the estate was finally sold for $95 million.

#6 Silicon Valley mansion

At $100 million, this French chateau-style mansion in Los Altos Hills in California is now the home of Yuri Milner, the billionaire founder of Moscow-based venture capital firm Digital Sky Technologies. The estate has panoramic views of San Francisco Bay and 11 acres of land.

#7 Fleur de Lys

With 41,000 square feet and 15 bedrooms, the Fleur de Lys was on the market in 2008 for $125 Million. The home was built by Texan billionaire David Saperstine ans was inspired by the Vaux le Vicomte palace outside Paris.

#8 The Pinnacle

Tim Blixseth's $155 million dollar house is practically in the backyard of the neighboring ski resort he owns. The Pinnacle in Montana has a private chair lift that connects the house to the resort.

#9 Franchuk Villa

This Victorian villa is often listed as the most expensive home in London at a value of $161 million. The freestanding five-story home has 10 bedrooms and an underground indoor swimming room, panic room, and movie theatre.

#10 The Hearst Mansion

If there's any home with the coolest pop culture cred, it's the Hearst Mansion -- also known as Hearst Castle, which is valued at $165 Million. The estate features three swimming pools, 29 bedrooms, movie theater, and a disco.

What Is America Actually The Best at?

#1 Murder and Mayhem

OK, you knew this one was coming. America leads the world in all sorts of crime. We're No. 1! We're No.1! When it comes to rape, murder, car thefts and plain-old overall crime no one comes close to our rates of damage and disorder.

Cutest Animals You've Never Heard Of

#1 The Sugar Glider

Originating in Australia, the gorgeous Sugar Glider is a lot like a flying squirell. They prefer sweet nectar-filled foods too!

#2 The Australian Wallaby

Certainly not the only little-known Australian animal to be dubbed "cute", this baby wallaby is adorable!

#3 The Northern Hairy-Nosed Wombat

This little critter is found in Australia, and like most marsupials, they're adorable! Fancy cuddling one of these - so sweet.

#4 The Red-Crested Tree Rat

Who ever thought a rat could be so cute, right? This Red-Crested Tree Rat has beautiful coloring.

#5 The Ploughshare Tortoise

Found in Madagascar, the Ploughshare Tortoise, or Angonoka Tortoise, is critically endangered. Just look at how tiny this baby is!

#6 The Roloway Monkey

Aww, just look at this little fellow clinging on to his soft toy! This is a baby Roloway Monkey, and they are only found in a small area of eastern Côte d'Ivoire and in the forests of Ghana.

#7 The Hainan Gibbon

Look at this baby Hainan Gibbon! This species is so rare that they are only found on Hainan Island in China.

 

#8 The Red Panda

The Red Panda is found in the eastern Himalayas and southwestern China. This cutie may be called a panda, but its closest animal relatives are the raccoon, skunk and weasel!

#9 The Numbat

Numbats are a marsupial found in Western Australia. This baby numbat is smaller than a human hand!

#10 The Jerboa

Look at those over-sized ears! This little animal is a cross between a mouse and a rabbit, and it is totally adorable.

Most Terrifying Childhood Hairstyles

#1 Going For It All

Fair warning, the following hairstyles were probably cool at the time, but it was a very different time. Rat tails were abolished by kids as soon as the Backstreet Boys entered our lives and the same could be said for mullets like this one.

#2 On To The Bigger Things

We're not sure what decade this photo was taken, but we sure hope it was before the '70s. If it was past the '80s, then it's hard to not be disappointed in the personal tastes of parents around the world.

#3 The Freakier Side Of Things

Let's just say the older days were definitely experimental. Clashing the no-bangs with long hair definitely pushes boundaries but this face that goes along with it is the sort of stuff that induces nightmares.

#4 Turtling Around

Turtlenecks were key in the 1990s' but matching them with your hair color is a one of a kind addition. Unfortunately for him, the length nearly blends into his clothes with its chocolate blonde hue. It is a boy right?

#5 Side-Splitting Ends

The tee is reminiscent of Little Bo Peep, but the hair is all her. We get the feeling that she ran out of time in the middle of a very complex hairstyle sesh.

#6 Upgrading The Poof

Everyone remembers braces. They were extremely hard toloog good with, even when you sported a crested rugby sweater. This hair was just insult to injury.

via http://photos.ellen.warnerbros.com/

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#7 Curls And Whirls

A true example of "business in the front, party in the back", this mullet steps its game up by adding a few curls at the end to go a little bit retro. Then again, his Dad likely rocks the same haircut as well!

#8 Rihanna who?

This rachet chick was rocking the side do before #badgirlriri ever Pon'd De Replay. However, there's something different about this look. She doesn't quite pull it off like Rihanna does. Can't quite put my finger on it.

#9 The Best Part Of Waking Up..

To be honest: this is next level "bed head". One could also call this "terrible head" or "mistake head". In some circles it's known as the "before pic of an Oprah Winfrey makeover special.

#10 Til Death Do Us Part

This hairdo is almost bearable because 90 per cent of all of us have all seen it on a former classmate but no one does the do like her. she even adds a sort of hamster liness to it.

i Phone Speakers

#1 The Horn

Not an easy one to construct, but this horn based speaker system is classic, stylish, and effective. So grab the french horn from 5th grade band class that's sitting in your basement, cut a hole in the top, and run a tube from the mouth piece to your makeshift dock.

#2 The Jumbo Roll

This is the advanced version of the regular toilet paper/cup speaker system. This one uses gallon size plastic containers and a long paper towel roll. It's for the bigger parties when it's okay to wake up the neighbors.

#3 Bowl in a Bowl

This technique mimics the inside of a real speaker and really helps the sound's amplification. The key is keeping the speaker part of the iPhone barely peaking out from under the bowl. Having at least the outer bowl be glass will also help the sound quality.

#4 The Pringle Speaker

For some reason it's always been hard to throw away a Pringles can after it's empty, right? This contraption is the reason your instincts were clamoring for you to keep it. Behold, the speaker can.

#5 Connect-4 Speakers

If you have a younger sibling whose got toys laying around this one's a great way to go. Style is a crucial component in music, and style points will definitely be rewarded if you're seen rocking one of these. And besides the toy parts all you need are a few pieces of paper.

#6 The Piece of Paper

Crude? Yes. Easy? ABSOLUTELY yes. This one may seem like a cop-out but the music comes out of it like you're 5th row at the symphony. Okay, not that loud, but it's louder than without the piece of paper so it's a win.

#7 Two Cups and Toiler Paper Roller

This one is unique because it can be created on the fly. Even if you're at a bar they no doubt have cups and a toiler paper roll that's almost done. Then all you need is a knife and you've got this amazing iPhone speaker.

#8 The Stylish Swirl

You could probably get the same result with just twisting a piece of paper into a cone, but where's the fun in that? This stylish DIY speaker is perfect for a fancy dinner party or a kickback with the fellas. At least a B- in 3rd grade arts and crafts is required, though.

#9 Top of a Gatorade Bottle

This is awesome because it's so easy. All you have to do is cut the top off one of those big Gatorade bottles and you're good to go. As a bonus, the rim is a comfy place for your iPhone to lean.

#10 The Cardboard Triangle

This technique takes a little bit of craftsmanship, but not enough that you shouldn't at least give it a go. The easiest way to go about this is to cut the corner off of a box, then cut along the edge making a small opening. Stick your iPhone in the opening, and apply tape around the rim so it fits snug. Ta da!