The video mixes a detailed photo of Einstein with a blurry photo of Monroe. Called a hybrid image, it combines a low spatial frequency and a high one.
As the image gradually enlarges people with good eyesight will see Einstein clearly and ignore the fuzzy face of Monroe.
On the other hand, when the picture gets further away, people with poor eyesight wont be able to pick up the details in Einstein’s face – they will only pick up a blurry image. If Monroe dominates your vision, then you should get your eyes checked with optician.
As CTV news says, you move away from the photo, you stop noticing those details and begin to process the “broader strokes” instead. That means Monroe’s hair and eyes start to dominate the picture.
The video explains that,
“Up close, we’re generally able to pick up fine details like Einstein’s mustache and wrinkles. But as the distance increases, or if your vision is poor and creates a more blurred image in the first place, your ability to pick up details fades away.”
The Independent quotes an article in the Times, which said,
“When subjects were shown hybrid images for 30 milliseconds, they were only able to distinguish the low spatial resolution, or blurry, parts. However, when they saw the images for 150 milliseconds, they only recognised the image produced in high spatial resolution.”
Another similar image from MIT shows a motorbike changing into a bicycle.
The MailOnline says that the researchers at MIT have spent a decade working on such optical illusions to gain a better understanding of how our brains process information. The hybrid optical illusions are examples of the way images can be hidden with textures, words and other objects.
Dr Oliva from MIT, who created the image, said the test also shows that our brains pick out fine detail in some situations, and broader detail in others.
The video was posted on YouTube by Asap Science, which is a YouTube channel created by two Canadians, Mitchell Moffit and Gregory Brown. It produces weekly videos on many different science topics.
