Optical Illusion of The Day: Thatcher Effect Optical Illusion

Posted: 19 Jun 2012 05:23 AM PDT

The Thatcher effect or “Thatcher illusion” is a phenomenon where it becomes difficult to detect changes in an upside down face, despite identical changes being obvious in an upright face. It is named after British former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher on whose photograph the effect has been most famously demonstrated (this illusion was originally created by Peter Thompson). Below you can see the effect in action, this time it’s even more astonishing! Be sure to keep in mind that the right portrait is the very same picture you see on your left!

These images were taken by Anuschka Blommers and Niels Schumm for the new Dove Campaign

And here’s what you get when you rotate the above picture 180 degrees. Amazing, isn’t it? Be sure to head over to F-Stoppers to see the animated gif. You’ll need to see it few times before you can believe it yourself.