"Dr. Imre Bartfai" wrote:
>
> Hi,
> excuse for trying to connect to this interessant topic, I'd have a
> question:
>
> there are a lot of so-called "magic images" - I even saw a book filled
> with them - which are actually grey spots. It is said that looking this
> pictures with somehow relaxed eyes true images occur. I did never manage
> to see such hidden image. How does it work? Does it require some personal
> skill or training (or maybe inborn gifts)?
>
> Thank you in advance.
>
> Regards,
> Imre
==========================

Imre

I think everyone can do it, it does take a little practice. There are as
many descriptions as there are people describing the trick. I would
describe it as defocussing the eyes, same as your term 'relaxing the
eyes'.

Try putting a page of text in front of your face, touching your nose. It
is impossible to focus the eyes at this close distance. Now move the
page slowly away, keeping the eyes defocussed, or 'relaxed'. Each eye
will see its own image and the two images will be somewhat seperated, or
overlapping. When you can do this easily, try it with the special image.
Be patient, it takes some practice to overcome the tendency to try to
focus. Its like using binoculars where you bring the two eyepieces
together to make one image or move them apart to make two overlapping
images.

Harley L. Miller     hmiller@sound.net